Full text of "Annual report of the Geologist of Maryland."

See other formats

c;'<c

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE

GEOLOGIST

MARYLAND.

1840.

INDEX TO THE REPORT.

Page.
Letter to His Excellency, the Governor, 5

Sec. I.— 1. Physical Geography and Geology of Allegany County, 9

2. Remarks on its actual Agricultural Condition, &.c. . 25

Sec. II. — Mineral Wealth of Allegany County, and considerations on

the best means of developing it, .... 27

Sec. III. — Physical Geography and Geology of Washington County,

with an account of its Mineral Resources, ... 45

Sec. IV. — Agricultural Condition of Washington County, . . 53

Sbc. V. — Farther Notice of the Condition of the Mining Operations in

the Copper Region of Frederick County, ... 67

Digitized by tine Internet Arciiive

in 2009 with funding from

Lyrasis IVIembers and Sloan Foundation

http://www.archive.org/details/annualrepofgeolo1840mary

TO ^

HIS EXCELLENCY,

WILLIAM GRASON,

GOVERNOR OF MARYLAND.
Sir:

I have the honour of submitting to you, herewith, the
result of my geological examinations for the past year, and as
this will be the last Annual Report which I shall make, it is
proper that I should lay before you, the present condition of
the Survey, as well as the relation which I conceive I will bear
towards it, at its completion.

Nearly all the scientific information, a small portion of which
only is embraced in the Annual Reports, and most of the
economical geology of the State, a great deal of which is con-
tained in these same Reports, have been obtained and collected
together for the Final Report. For it will be remembered,
that the main object of the Survey, so far as the Geologist is
concerned, was to obtain materials, not only to illustrate the
geology of the State upon its projected New Map, but that
these materials were to be used for the purpose of bringing,
within a comprehensive shape, a full account of the Physical
Geography, and of the Mineral and Agricultural Resources of
Maryland.

In prosecuting the Survey, it was soon discovered, that by
introducing into the yearly Reports, (required at first only to
indicate the progress of the work,) all such information as might
be made immediately available, their interest and usefulness
would be greatly enhanced. This has been acknowledged in
all quarters. But the original intention of making them sub-
servient only to a more elaborate production, has never been
abandoned. The Geologist would not consider, however useful
he might have been, incidentally, to his fellow-citizens, that he
had performed his duty to the State, (the pioneer in this sort
of researches,) and advanced her scientific reputation or his own,
by offering, either at home or abroad, a series of unconnected
documents as illustrating, in a satisfactory manner, her geology,
as well as mineral and agricultural riches.

Many of the other States of the Union, following the example
of Maryland — who was the first to combine an agricultural with
a geological survey — have even gone farther, and appointed
scientific gentlemen to collect materials to illustrate all the
branches of the Natural History of their Territories. All those
that have ordered Surveys, look to the final Reports of their
officers, as important contributions to the cause of science, and
calculate upon their zeal, skill and ambition, to make them
worthy of the State. It is to be hoped, that Maryland will not
retreat from her vantage ground. The State Geologists, more-
over, in view of the period when all the facts, that they may be
enabled to bring to light, will be collected into one great system
of American Geology, have agreed upon annual conferences, at
which it is equally important that our State should be repre-
sented.

These remarks are made to show, that although full time may
be found, in the course of the present year, to examine the few
spots that remain unexplored, for practical purposes, and that,
consequently, the Survey will have virtually ended with the year;
still, it is hardly to be expected, that the Geologist can, within
that period, collect his materials into such a form as will prove
most useful to the State, or creditable to himself.

The plan intended to be adopted is this : — to furnish a detailed

yii

account of the Physical Geography of Maryland; of her Agricul-
tural condition and resources in the several counties, together
with their agricultural statistics ; of her Geology, scientific and
economical, the former illustrated by maps and sections ; and of
her Mineral Resources and their statistics, also according to
counties. There will be appended to the work a Geographical
and Geological Map of the State, embracing the latest Surveys.

It is believed, that a work of this description, properly exe-
cuted, cannot fail to prove of both benefit and interest to the
citizens of Maryland, as a work of reference, in which all her
resources will be duly classified ; and may tend to elevate the
character of the State abroad, by a faithful exhibition of these
same resources. The dignity of Maryland seems to demand,
that she should mature a scheme, which she was amongst the
first to suggest, as it can now be accomplished in a short time,
and at a trifling additional expense. If it be thought proper
to refer the matter to any of the Standing Committees of the
House of Delegates, I will cheerfully appear before them, to
explain my views more fully. In reference to myself, farther,
as regards the Survey, it is only justice to say, that abundant
evidence could be produced that my labours have already been
highly beneficial to the State, and have contributed to im-
press upon the citizens of surrounding States, a much more
favourable opinion of her resources, than they had previously
entertained. The importance of having a responsible State
officer, to decide upon the true character and probable success
of projected mining operations, has also been rendered evident
in more than one instance, where doubt, hesitation, and want
of confidence, might have retarded, or even prevented large
foreign investments.

During a part of the last campaign, I have been engaged in
making a full examination of the Frostburg coal basin, a direc-
tion to which the attention of heavy foreign capitalists has lately
been turned. Seeing the immense consequence attached to a
faithful account of the mineral wealth of our country, which they
seem willing to aid us in exploring, upon just representations, I
have given the subject of the intrinsic value of this coal basin a

VIII

close consideration ; so far it was entirely within the scope of
my duties to advance ; but as its actual value depends upon the
facilities that will be offered for sending its contents to a market,
and that the State has already embarked largely in the construc-
tion of works to that effect, and is consequently deeply interested
in their receiving the most advantageous direction, I have ven-
tured to submit my opinion in reference to this matter also,
which will be found fully treated of in Section II. of this Report.

The other sections contain accounts of the Physical Geogra-
phy, Agricultural and Mineral resources of Allegany and Wash-
ington counties ; and in a final section, there are some farther
notices of the present condition of the mining operations in the
copper region of Frederick county.

In conclusion, I have to acknowledge, as usual, my indebted-
ness to the Topographical Engineer, for his valuable and disin-
terested services in preparing the sections and map that accom-
pany the Report.

I beg your Excellency to accept the assurance of the sincere
respect of

Your obedient servant,

J. T. DUCATEL,

State Geologist.

Baltimore, January }st, 1841.

REPORT.

Sec. I. Physical Geography and Geology of Allegany County;
with some remarks on its actual Agricultural conditioUy pros-
pects and resources.

1. The area of this county, which is the largest in the State, is
estimated at about one thousand and forty square miles, or little
less than six hundred and sixty-six thousand acres. It is empha-
tically the mountainous region of Maryland ; traversed from N. E.
to S. W. by all the lesser ridges that constitute the eastern portion
of the Apalachian mass of mountains, and including within its
limits, the dividing ridge, or Big Back Bone, as it is termed, a
spur of which separates the eastern from the western waters.
Even between these ridges the country is still mountainous and
rugged, and the intervening rolling valleys between these lofty
chains as one proceeds westward, are observed to be more
and more elevated, the hills presenting a longer ascent from the
east than descent to the west. The aspect of the country from
the mountain tops is at first grand and imposing, but the eye is
soon gratified, as it rests upon apparently an interminable forest,
principally of pines, the value of which has been much impaired
by the frequent recurrence of fires, in most cases no doubt acci-
dentally communicated. There are but few places between Side-
ling hill — at the western foot of which flows a creek of the same
name, forming the divisional line between Washington and Alle-
gany counties — and the valley of Frostburg, where the view is
gladdened by the appearance of luxuriant pastures or fertile fields.
Some such there are, however, that will be noticed in their
proper places.

Viewing the country geologically, the prevailing rocks that
present themselves within the range of country now to be de-
scribed— namely, between Sideling hill and Dan's mountain,
2

west of Cumberland — are limestone, red sandstone and slate.
Rocks of the coal period also present themselves, whose interest
and importance will likewise be considered in a subsequent por-
tion of this Report. The limestone which contains fossils, is
cavernous ; a circumstance having both its advantages and dis-
advantages. The caverns form subterranean reservoirs of water
of great extent ; and when they open at the surface, throw out
abundant and permanent streams, which in this section of the
county afford almost the only water-power that can be relied
upon. The waters of these streams, issuing from the caverns at
a temperature never under the mean of the year, and in some
cases much above, are not frozen during the severest winters,
which imparts interest and value to the mill-seats established
upon them. In this way, Murlei/s branch taking its rise under
the circumstances just mentioned at the western foot of Warrior
mountain, by furnishing facilities of this kind, flows through one
of the most flourishing portions of this part of the country. The
Flintstone, which is partly a tributary to it, loses all its waters in
dry seasons in a cavern of which the Warrior mountain opposite
to the Flintstone settlement is the protruding dome. These
make their appearance on the opposite side, and singularly
enough, in two springs, one of the usual mean temperature of
springs here (52° F.) the other warm (68°.) The Flintstone and
Murley's branch empty into a more important stream — Town
creek — which flows between Polish and Warrior mountains,
affording a very advantageous mill-seat at its mouth. Wills'
creek also appears to lose a portion of its waters in its passage
through the gap of Wills' mountain and Cumberland ; and it
affords but a limited amount of water-power exclusively em-
ployed at this latter place. The other water-courses are merely
drains, or at best feeders to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal,
with the exception of Evit's creek, which is much better and
more constantly supplied.

The mountain ridges traversed in succession after crossing
Sideling hill creek are : Town hill, which is based upon a red
sandstone capped by coal rocks, consisting of sandstone, anthra-
cite, and slate; Green ridge, shewing a continuation of the red
sandstone covered by qvarzite; the same may be said of Polish
mountain, to which succeeds Warrior mountain already alluded to
as being composed of the cavernous limestone. Beyond Warrior
mountain and Martin's mountain, red slaty sandstones make

their appearance, and the latter is composed of limestone covered
by thick masses of quarzite; from this, crossing Evit's mountain,
there is a succession of slaty red sandstones and slates to the
basin upon which Cumberland is situated.

The crests and flanks of the mountains are covered principally
with pines and chestnut. The yellow and spruce pines are the
most abundant of that species of timber in this section of the
county ; the white pine occurring only in few places. On the
bottom lands are found nearly all of the most valuable forest
trees ; oaks, walnut, poplar, locust, hickory, the Magnolia accu-
minata, or cucumber tree, as it is here called, and the maples,
among which is the sugar maple, which beautifully overshadow
extensive camps, whence the smaller farmers of the county, and
indeed most of the inhabitants, are supplied with sugar. The
lime tree (TiJia glabra) here called linn, is also conspicuous
amidst the larger trees of these forests. Among the flowering
shrubbery are particularly noticed the mountain laurel, [Rhododen-
dron maximus,) Calico bush [Kahnia latifolia) and the wild
honeysuckle {Azalea vixcosa) of large size, bearing a cluster of
wdiite flowers that emit a delicious fragrance.

These bottoms and hill sides, the original appearance and con-
dition of which have been just described, when cleared and
cultivated, are found to be easily converted into rich pastures
and productive fields of oats, rye, wheat, buckwheat, corn and
potatoes. But it is from the alluvial soils that present themselves
occasionally in extensive flats along the Potomac, that the richest
harvests are gathered ; furnishing every convenience and facility
both to the grazier and feeder. Among these may be more espe-
cially noticed, those known as Harney's bottom, east of Old
town, and a valuable tract of land of similar character extending
along the river, with few encroachments from mountain spurs,
from Cressap's town to Westernport.

Within this range there are several mineral springs of the kind
called sulphur and chalybeates. At Flintstone there is one of the
former denomination that might have acquired importance but for
conflicting private interests. Between the Green ridge and Polish
mountain, on the property of William Carroll, Esq. there are
several of the same kind that have been examined and analysed
by two experienced chemists — Prof. Wra. R. Fisher and Mr. Geo.
W. Andrews. An abstract of the account which these gentle-
men give of the springs, and that may be entirely relied upon, is

added, as a further inducement perhaps to their improvement, for
the benefit of the proprietors and the public.

These springs are four in number, all issuing from a slate rock
(containing fossils) which appears to constitute the substratum of
the entire valley in which the springs are situated. Three of
them have their openings near each other, within an area of thirty
or forty feet in diameter, while the fourth is distant from these
about two hundred yards, though flowing from a rock of the same
kind. As two of them take their rise in the bed of a small
branch, they are liable to be overflowed; but this, however, seldom
takes place during the summer months. One of the springs,
situated thirty or forty feet from the margin of the branch, and at
all times free from inundation, is more particularly described as
rising 'from the same slate rock, and preserving its perfect trans-
parency and limpidity, in the small basin which has been exca-
vated around it, flows off" through a channel, upon which, imme-
diately after leaving its basin, it commences to deposite the
peculiar white material, from which the characteristic title of
'White Sulphur' is derived. This deposite was found in great
abundance in the bed of the stream proceeding from the spring.
The taste at once indicates the character of the spring as a
sulphur water, which corroborated by the appearance of the co-
pious deposite, leaves no doubt upon the mind of the visiter, that
the spring before him is honestly entitled to the denomination of
a 'White Sulphur Spring.' From this spring was obtained the
water subsequently subjected to analysis, and by which its con-
stituents were determined.'

The physical condition and analysis of this spring are given as
follows :

'Temperature, 47° to 48° F.

GASEOUS CONTENTS.

Sulphuretted Hydrogen,
Carbonic Acid.

SOLID CONTENTS.

Sulphate of Magnesia,
Muriate of Soda,
Sulphate of Lime,
Muriate of Lime,
Corbonate of Lime,

In reference to the temperature, it is conceived 'that the Carroll
White Sulphur Springs have decided advantages, their tempera-
ture being so low, that beside furnishing a cool and refreshing
draught, they are enabled to retain their gaseous contents much
longer in state of combination.'

'These springs were all found to contain carbonic acid gas, or
fixed air, which contributes its peculiar pungency and sedative
influence to the water. Owing to the presence of this gas, too,
the water is found to be what is called in familiar terms, a 'light
water,' terms designed to express that several glasses may be
taken without any sense of oppression, such as is almost invaria-
bly experienced after drinking two or three glasses of common
water in rapid succession. The carbonic acid gas serves the
purpose also, of rendering the earthy carbonate soluble, thus
communicating some antacid effect to the water.'

Each of the Carroll Springs are said to yield nearly twenty-
four hogsheads per day, 'showing manifestly that no scarcity of
water can ever be apprehended, how numerous soever the com-
pany of visiters may be.'

It is asserted of these waters, that they will be found to 'pos-
sess all the medicinal properties usually met with in white sulphur
springs.' 'Alterative, aperient, diuretic and diaphoretic effects,'
being anticipated from them ; and it is added, 'as all the adju-
vants of healthy climate, pure mountain air, beautiful and roman-
tic scenery, with healthy exercise and recreation, may be obtained
at these springs, we can see no reason why these anticipations
may not be realized, why the dyspeptic may not recover the tone
and appetite, of which improper or imprudent excess may have
deprived him ; why the sallow complexioned son of the south
may not lose the yellow hue which tinges his blood, giving evi-
dence of diseased hepatic function ; and why the sufferer from
calculous and nephritic disorders may not be relieved from the
painful and distressing symptoms to which his frame is a martvr.'

The advantages of location and its capacity for improvement
are fully and accurately set forth. 'The distance from Baltimore
to the springs is about one hundred and nineteen miles; one
hundred and fifteen or sixteen of which are on the present main
route to Cumberland, and the remainder of the distance along the
valley of 'Fifteen Mile Creek.' Through this distance after leaving
the turnpike, a most beautiful and romantic ride may be accom-

plished ; the rise of the valley being so gentle as to present to the
eye the appearance of a level plain.

'From the Potomac a most excellent and well graded road may
be constructed. Passing over Town hill, through the gap of
Fifteen Mile creek, and gently descending on one of its numer-
ous spurs, it may cross Green ridge at a moderate height, whence
a gentle slope may be obtained that will conduct the traveller
without inconvenience and in perfect safety to the springs.

'From this road one of the most grand and romantic views
may be obtained which perhaps the country affords. From the
top of Town hill are seen on one hand the mountains of Pennsyl-
vania, cultivated to their summits, and on the other, beyond the
valley of the Potomac, whose waters irrigate and bound acres of
cultivated farms, appear the distant mountain ranges of Virginia,
clad in the deep blue haze, with which distance and elevation
invest them.

'Looking through the gap in an easterly direction, Sideling
hill and the Great Cacapon bound the horizon with their summits ;
and toward the west are seen ridge upon ridge of mountain tops,
until the view is closed by the remote ranges above Cumberland,
some thirty or thirty-five miles distant.

'One decided advantage which the locality of these springs
affords, is the practicability of reaching them by the canal, by
means of which the invalid and timorous may reach them, unex-
posed to the fatigue, inconvenience, or fancied danger of moun-
tain travelling.

'Numerous rounded and gently sloping knolls or spurs surround
the springs, upon which at almost any desirable elevation may be
erected cottages or cabins for the accommodation of the company
who may seek the sanative properties of the waters, and who,
while thus elevated above the fogs of the valley, will enjoy the
bracing and healthful breezes from the west, which prevail during
the summer months in this climate. The character for health
which this county enjoys is so well established, that it is deemed
supurfluous to dwell upon it here.

'The approach to the springs from the west is equally favoura-
ble with that from the east, and may be accomplished by either
the turnpike, canal, or rail road. * * * * #

Their near proximity to the celebrated Bedford Springs is con-
ceived 'to be another favourable feature of their locality, as an

opportunity is thus afforded to those who frequent the latter, either
to commence or terminate their course of treatment with the use

of sulphur waters.

****** *

'Ravines and spurs of gentle elevation offer every facility for
beautiful paths and roads, and afford means of easy access to the
summits of the neighbouring mountains, upon which level roads
for miles in length may be opened : and the gracefully rounded
knolls radiating from the immediate vicinity of the springs, offer
most eligible sites for the erection of cottages and accommoda-
tions for visiters.

*******

*The springs are situated in the neighbourhood of a fertile and
cultivated district, from which supplies of agricultural produce
may be obtained ; and the mountains in the vicinity abound in
game, such as deer, pheasants, partridges, &c. &c. from w^hich
many of the delicacies of the table may be furnished. Materials
of other descriptions for the use of a numerous company, can be
readily conveyed to this spot from Baltimore, either by the canal,
rail road, or turnpike, as upon either of these routes they come
within a few miles of the springs, &c. &c.'*

In addition to this circumstantial account, the accuracy of
which is vouched for, of the character, advantages of position
and susceptibility of improvement as a place of public resort given
in the preceding abstract, it may be stated that the contemplated
operations in the coal region of Allegany county, by assembling a
large population within a day's ride of these springs, may be
looked forward to confidently as calculated to supply a permanent
run of customers. It is doubtless the interest of land-holders in
this vicinity, to aid in and to encourage the improvement of the
locality.

The 'National road,' or great thoroughfare for the west through
Maryland, which commences at Cumberland, passes through a
remarkable gap of Wills' mountain, as interesting to the geolo-
gist as it is imposing to the traveller. The width of this gap is
estimated at about five hundred feet, extends to the base of the
mountain, and crosses it along a distance of more than a mile,
leaving an excavation of upwards of eight hundred and fifty feet in

•Charter of the Carroll White Sulphur Spring Company, in Allegany county,
Maryland, with a scientific Report upon the situation, propeities, composition, &.c.
of the springs — 1838.

depth. It forms the natural outlet for the united waters of Wills',
Braddock's and Jennings' runs, that empty into the Potomac at
Cumberland. The rocky strata that present themselves in this
gap are very interesting. On the south-east side of the mountain,
the summit is reached by a gradual ascent over a coarse greyish
sandstone, superimposed upon a red sandstone ; the grade of the
ascent indicating the inclination of the strata at angles of about
30°. At the summit the strata are horizontal, or nearly so, over-
laying a precipice of about three hundred feet, at the bottom of
which is an extensive talus of fallen pieces reaching to the bottom
of the gap. On the north-west side, the strata of greyish sand-
stone are nearly vertical, as if they had been forcibly compressed
against the flank of the mountain, the nucleus of which, concealed
in the gap by the fallen debris, is probably a cavernous limestone.
The theory of the formation of this extensive gorge has been
ventured upon on a former occasion, and will be discussed again
more in detail in the final Report of the Survey.

The Frostburg coal basin, one of the most interesting features
in the physical geography of the county, as well as in its geology,
is reached through the gap of Wills' mountain either by the
valley of Braddock's run, or by ascending Wills' creek to where
it receives Jennings' run, and following its ravine, or by the lon-
ger and more circuitous route along the Potomac, on the south-
west foot of Dan's mountain, around its termination to Western-
port. By the two former of these routes, the predominant rocks
observed are encrinital limestones and the red sandstone. On
the road to Westernport, previous to meeting with the red sand-
stone, the alternating rocks are carboniferous limestone with
fossils and slates. In all these positions the red sandstone seems
to form the immediate floor of the rocks belonging to the coal
series, which lie unconformably upon it, without the interposition
of any millstone grit. This statement of the relative position of
the rocks under the coal basin presents, it will be seen, two signal
discrepancies from the accounts furnished us by other geologists,
in which the carboniferous limestone is placed between the old red
sandstone and the millstone grit. Out of the Frostburg coal
fields the carboniferous limestone holds a lower relative position
than the red sandstone, the latter being usually interstratified with
a fine-grained light-blue limestone ; but no where at the outcrop-
ping of the red sandstone are there any regular outcrops of the
millstone grit to be seen. The position which the fragments and

bowlders of this rock occupy, namely, on the crests of the moun-
tains that bound the coal formation, on both their western and
eastern flanks, in the midst of the coal formation and low down
in the valleys within it, may be accounted for by supposing that it
originally lay in unconformable strata over the outcrops of the
coal rocks, and that in progress of time disintegrating causes and
displacing causes have brought upon it its present appearances.
It would seem that if, as some believe, (the millstone grit being
considered to form the floor of the coal basin,) it had outcropped
over the other coal rocks, and then become disintegrated to
the extent we now see it, the fragments would necessarily have
fallen outside of the basin in the direction of the anticlinal axis of
the geological system to which it belongs, whereas, so far as
observations in Maryland go, it is the reverse. And, indeed, in
no instance was it seen, that the outcrops of the red sandstone,
which in the controverted hypothesis would necessarily be con-
formahle^ are concealed by any such accumulation of fragments of
millstone grit, as might in such case have been expected ; though
erratic masses of the rocks are certainly seen dispersed over its
surface at a considerable distance beyond its supposed original
deposite. But it is not intended to discuss at large, in the pre-
sent Report, any theoretical views in reference to the geological
peculiarities of the formation. To determine, however, as early
as possible the exact position of the millstone grit, is important to
those interested in developing the resources of this tract of coun-
try ; since it serves to widen or contract the data of their calcu-
lable wealth. The following account of examinations made at
two remarkable spots, may perhaps be thought to throw some
light upon the subject.

At the northern extremity of the coal basin, towards the head
waters of Wellers' branch of Jennings' run, there is a deep
ravine, interesting in many respects, and among them, one in
regard to the subject now under consideration. This spot was
visited in company with Mr. Lewis Howell, On descending
its steep declivity there was observed the alternating strata of
slate, shale, coal, sandstone, iron-ores, &c. to the run, and fol-
lowing its course it was found that these strata are here under-
layed by thick ledges of a sandstone, at first fine-grained and
resembling that so well known as belonging to the coal series,
but evidently graduating into one of coarser grain, which finally
assumes the character of a millstone grit. After examining this
3

spot on crossing the Savage, over the Somerset turnpike in Penn-
sylvania, no outcroppings of the millstone grit are met with ;
though other rocks of the coal series presented themselves in
their expected order of superposition, the limitary red sandstone
still in its unmoved and unconcealed position. In another excur-
sion, in company with Henry Thomas Weld, Esq. an English
engineer, attached to the Maryland and New York Iron and Coal
Company, there was seen at the bottom of a slide of about 500
feet, occurring between Westernport and the mouth of Savage
river (at the southern extremity of the basin in Maryland) a suc-
cession of ledges of sandstone rocks, of fine grain, graduating
into coarse, and which, if found on the mountain tops, would
probably have been called a millstone grit. The whole depth of
the strata of sandstone was estimated at thirty feet, and they are
continuous for several yards, without any appearance of a crush ;
hut they overlie a seam of coaL They form, therefore, members of
the series of coal rocks.

The situation of this coal basin is between Dan's mountain to
the east and Savage mountain to the west; extending, within the
limits of the state of Maryland, twenty miles in length, with an
average breadth of four and a half miles. There is a transverse
ridge upon which Frostburg stands connecting the two mountains
just named, dividing the basin into two unequal parts, and deter-
mining two distinct and opposite directions of drainage. The
northern portion, which is much the smaller, occupying about
one-fourth of the whole basin in Maryland, is principally drained
by Jennings' run, which takes its rise at Frostburg, and receives
as tributaries from south to north Cranberry run. Workman and
Mattingly runs, and Wellers' branch from the Savage side, and
Trotter's run from Dan. These all unite within the basin, and
flowing through a gap between Dan and Piney mountains, finally-
empty into Wills' creek three miles north of Cumberland. Brad-
dock's run also takes its rise near Frostburg, and in the northern
portion of the coal basin, and receiving Preston's run flows easterly
through a gap in Dan's mountain, and empties likewise into Wills'
creek two miles north of Cumberland. The southern portion of
the basin, forming three-fourths of the whole, is drained by George's
creek, with numerous tributaries both from Dan and Savage. Its
whole length is twenty-two miles, and it empties into the Potomac
twenty-eight miles above Cumberland. The principal lateral
streams that flow into George's creek are Neff"'s, Elk-lick, Hill's,

Hoye's and Moore's runs that rise in Dan, and Koontz's, Laurel,
Bartlett's and Mill runs that come from Savage. The main
branches of these streams afford a moderate amount of water-
power.

As to the internal structure of this basin, if we suppose a
transverse section of it to be made, it would be found to exhibit
a succession of alternating strata of various thickness of sand-
stones, slates, coal, iron-ore, fire clays and lime-stone, disposed
in a moderate curve, and filling up the valley between the two
prominent ridges designated as Savage and Dan's mountains.
The depth of this basin is computed at fifteen hundred feet ; and
the lower strata that have not been interfered with by the water-
courses, being continuous, probably crop out towards both extre-
mities at a considerable elevation in these mountains. The surface
of the basin is of course irregular, being intersected by deep ra-
vines formed by the streams and runs that traverse it. George's
creek in a distance of seventeen miles and in a longitudinal direc-
tion, has scooped out its bed through a mass of rocks twelve
hundred and fifty feet deep, carrying away an immense amount of
coal, iron-ore and other materials, valuable in themselves, but
under existing circumstances not to be regretted. On the other
hand, Jennings' run has caused still more damage ; for in the
short distance of six miles in a direct line, it cuts both longitudi-
nally and transversely through the whole formation, having swept
away a large portion of the most important veins of coal, and
exposing to view the subjacent red sandstone. Braddock's run
has removed but a small portion of them ; because, flowing late-
rally, it soon leaves the coal basin. The Potomac river enters
the basin at its south-western extremity, cutting through it diago-
nally, and carrying off much of the principal upper beds of coal.
Similar lacerations of the basin have been produced by the lateral
streams, that, at some periods of the year, act with all the impetu-
osity of torrents. The original irregularities of the surface, too,
that have determined the present direction of the water-courses,
were doubtless produced by some more general and powerful ex-
cavating cause, that has removed perhaps more than one-third
of the whole mass as it existed after its first deposition. These
irregularities have been obviously produced by the partial destruc-
tion of the uppermost strata, since they are found not to affect the
dip or inclination of those that remain. Whenever they are found
to be cut off by the intervention of a valley, they will be seen on

the sides of the opposite hills at the same relative levels; shewing
that they were once continuous. But although these causes have
removed a large portion of veiy valuable beds of coal and iron, by
imparting this peculiar configuration to the surface of the country,
they have furnished at the same time facilities for the exploration
of strata that could not otherwise have been reached, except with
great labour and at the expense of deep mining operations. The
great interest, in truth, connected with this coal basin, is its un-
common regularity ; for as yet there is no reason to suspect the
occurrence of any JauU.f, or other serious dislocations of strata.

Without adverting particularly at present, to the immense mine-
ral «realth in the way of coal and iron ores contained within this
basin, it must be considered as forming in other respects one of
the most interesting portions of Allegany county. The soil is
uniformly good, affording, soon after after being cleared, a spon-
taneous growth of timothy, and the finest pasturage. The arable
lands yield heavy crops of wheat, oats, rye, barley and potatoes,
and in favourable seasons tolerable crops of Indian corn. The
potatoes are equal to any raised in the New England States. Most
of the esculent vegetables of the sea-board, when properly
attended to, are cultivated with success ; and among the fruit
trees, the apple, peach and plum, the last being considered of
superior flavour. Among the smaller fruit the currant seems to
be the most hardy, and the mountain sides are literally matted with
several varieties of wild berries. The country is also well tim-
bered ; the varieties of oaks, the yellow, white, and spruce pines,
poplar, locust, several kinds of hickory, the cucumber tree, {Mag-
nolia acuminata^) the lime tree, beech, walnut and sugar maple,
forming the principal growth on the uncleared lands. The curled
maple, so highly prized in cabinet making, and the wild cherry,
used in the manufacture of gun-stocks, are also found in quantity.

As we may confidently expect that the day is not far distant
when this tract of country will possess a numerous population,
engaged in mining and in manufactories of various kinds, it is
fortunate that its agricultural resources should be found paramount
to its other advantages ; and as the mining and manufacturing
industry will be actuated and directed by men of fortune, there is
no doubt they will be attracted to it by its wild and majestic sce-
nery, its unvaried salubrity, and the certainty of enjoying during
one-half of the year a most delicious climate. This portion of
the county will ere long, then, deserve and obtain a decided pre-
ference as a summer retreat, where those interested in the sur-

rounding operations, as well as others who can afford to flee from
the anxieties of business and the warm and sickly atmospheres
of towns, will be content to retire. For, numerous as we suppose
the population is to be, as it will spend the greatest part of its
time under ground, the retirement of the hill top and of the moun-
tain side need seldom be encroached upon. The denizen of a
cottage on the mountains may come in from the chase or hunt to
repose himself, if he prefer it, under a quiet and solitary roof; or
he may assemble under it a choice selection of kindred souls, or
a long tried friend, to share with him his haunch of venison, or
his brace of pheasants, or his mess of trout, all of which he can
have no great difficulty of obtaining, in their respective seasons.

The Great Savage mountain, or Big Back BonCy as it is fre-
quently called, is not the dividing ridge separating the eastern
from the western waters. The Savage river reinforced by two
streamlets — the Middle fork and Crabtree creek — makes its way
through it to empty itself into the Potomac. A spur of the Great
Savage, known at the head of Deep creek as the Little Back
Bone, is the true dividing ridge, the waters of this creek flowing
west, and those of Crabtree creek running east, though taking
their rise only a few hundred yards apart.

Starting from Westernport and ascending the Potomac along
the S. E. flank of Savage mountain, the country is rugged and
broken, densely timbered, and not much cultivated ; except the
rich alluvial bottoms on the margin of the river. The water-
courses on the Maryland side are short, rapid and of little conse-
quence in regard to hydraulic power, though a sufficient and con-
stant water-power can be obtained both on the north branch of
the Potomac and at the mouth of Savage river. This portion of
the county, broken and mountainous, and not as yet sufficiently
explored, is no doubt an invaluable repository of coal and iron-
ore, which time and enterprizc will bring to light; whilst from
what is now known of it,* it already affords evidence of an
important addition to the mineral wealth of Allegany county.
Connected with this portion of the coal formation in Maryland,
are extensive beds of coal and iron-ore on the Virginia side of
the Potomac river.f The agricultural resources of the county

* See Report of Professor F. Shepherd, 'To the Potomac and Allegany Coal and
Iron Manufacturing Company.' New Haven, December 26, 1839.

t See 'Charters of the IJnion Potomac Company and the Union Company, with
a Description of their Coal and Iron Mines, situate in Hampshire County, Virginia,
and in Allegany County, Maryland. Baltimore, 1840.'

are also full of promise ; possessing a soil generally good, and
being here and there interspersed with tracks of luxuriant glade
lands. Among these may be mentioned pre-eminently the beau-
tiful tract of about three thousand acres, known as Ryan^s Glade,
forming a part of the estate of the late Upton Bruce, Esq. The
mountain tops are covered with the disintegrated fragments of the
millstone grit.

Pursuing the National road across Savage in a more northerly
direction, the coal rocks disappear at the summit of the ridge,
and the outcroppings of the red sandstone present themselves
only a few yards below on its western slope. The inclination of
the strata of red sandstone is E. S. E. the reverse of its presenta-
tion at the opening of the coal basin in Dan's mountain. It
preserves this inclination through the Little Savage as far as the
crossings of a lesser ridge, called the Dividing ridge, about half
way between the Little Savage and Meadow mountains. Bowl-
ders of millstone grit are then met with in the east side of the
last mentioned mountain, on the west verge of which the coal
rocks re-appear. Here then is another coal basin between
Meadow mountain and the Negro mountain, the centre of which,
however, and more available portions, belong to the State of
Pennsylvania. Some seams of good coal have been worked in
the neighbourhood of the Little Crossings, and beyond them on
the N. E. side of a spur of Negro mountain, after w-hich the
coal rocks disappear, and another anticlinal line belonging to the
red sandstone formation presents itself on the west flank of Key-
ser's ridge, indicating the approach to a third coal basin of which
Smithfield in Pennsylvania is the centre. The Yohogany, which
takes its rise in the S. W. angle of the State, cuts through this
coal formation longitudinally from south to north, and exhibits
the strata of coal and iron-ore with associated coal rocks from
within a few miles of its head to its junction with Casselman's
river. The section on the map attached to this Report exhibits
the relative position and the alternations of the rocks included
within the coal region.

The eastern slope of the Briery mountains which form the
western limits of the State is also composed of coal rocks, sup-
porting a very productive soil, in some places highly cultivated,
and occasionally presenting some beautiful and valuable tracts
of glade lands. This section of country is watered by the
Yohogany, whose principal tributaries from south to north are,

in Maryland, the Cherrytree fork, Little Yoliogany, Muddy creek,
Deep creek, (which consists of the accumulated waters of nume-
rous streams and streamlets that irrigate the glades) and Bear
creek. All these streams having a pretty rapid fall, afford a
considerable amount of water-power. Muddy creek in its flow
through a magnificent grove of white pine, offers a beautiful cas-
cade about an hundred feet wide and sixty in perpendicular fall.
The country thus but faintly described is interesting in many
respects ; but has not yet been sufficiently examined geologically.
There is every reason to believe that borings made in the red
sandstone formation of this western portion of the county, and
even in the immediate vicinity of the coal formation, would reach
waters highly impregnated with salt. Success in an enterprize of
this kind would be next in importance only to what is expected
from the explorations of coal or the manufacture of iron. An
enterprizing citizen of the county, Mr. John Hoye, of Cumber-
land, has within the past year obtained salt water at the depth of
five hundred and twenty feet. This experiment was made with-
out the limits of the State, on the banks of the Cheat river in
Virginia. Licks, as they are termed, which are oozy spaces
where the deer and cattle resort, it is supposed, to gratify their
craving for saline food or drink, are so numerous as to constitute
indications and landmarks all over the country.

The ridges just referred to present in many situations large
tracts covered with the white pine. This is especially the case
with an extensive range at the head waters of Piney run, which
takes its rise on Little Savage, where there occurs a splendid
forest of this valuable tree. Several steam saw-mills are now in
operation, furnishing materials for the various improvements that
are carried on all over this section of country. It maybe said in
general terms, that white pines affect a soil produced by the dis-
integration of a shaly red sandstone, and when removed leave a
very productive soil, throwing out a spontaneous growth of herds
grass so soon as it receives the genial influence of the sun. The
grey and white sandstones seem more favourable to the growth of
the yellow pine, most commonly intermixed with dwarf oak and
chestnut. Between the ridges there are fertile tracts of arable
land, from which good crops of fine tobacco, besides the usual
grain crops, have been raised. Among these may be more parti-
cularly designated the settlement between Keyser's ridge and
Winding ridge.

But a still more interesting portion of this western part of the
State comprises what are termed the Glades. These are natural
meadows of variable extent, with a deep mould for soil, appa-
rently in its origin produced by the decomposition of a red shaly
sandstone, to which time has added a rich accumulation of de-
cayed and decaying vegetable matter. This soil throws up a
spontaneous growth of succulent grasses and plants, that afford
the finest and most abundant pasturage for cattle, during a long
portion of the year ; and in the months of June and July, present
to the eye of a traveller who crosses them a delightful parterre
composed of flowers of all hues, over which the botanist would
be rejoiced to roam among old and perhaps new acquaintances.
The whole extent of these glades within the limits of Allegany
county, may be estimated at about twelve thousand acres, the
greatest portion of which, east of the Yohogany, is located
towards the summit of the dividing mountains. They are not
connected with each other, and their outlines are very irregular;
spurs and ridges intersecting them, and knolls sometimes rising
up from amidst them. The Green Glade, which is the largest
tract of this kind, is beautifully watered by Deep creek, whose
branches permeate it in all directions. They are said to be all at
the same general level, with the exception of the Cherrytree
meadow, which is a plain possessing in all respects the peculiar
character of the glades, and on the authority of John McHenry,
Esq. an intelligent and highly respected inhabitant of this coun-
try, is said to be from sixty to a hundred feet more elevated than
the common level of the other glade lands.* A tract of beautiful
glade land equally well watered also occurs on the west side of
the Yohogany river, at the foot of the Briery mountains.

It is more than probable that these upland meadows are the
basins of former shallow mountain-lakes, the waters of which
were formerly retained by a rocky barrier at the falls of Deep
creek. These falls, in the immediate vicinity of those of the
Yohogany, and the cascade of Muddy creek previously referred
to, are said to have a fall of two hundred feet in half a mile.
This sudden depression in the basins of these respective streams
was doubtless still greater in past times, and the barrier which
then retained them sufficiently high to enable them to flood all
the glade country which they now drain. It is stated by Mr.

* An account of the Surveys and Examinations, &c. &,c. for the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal, by James Sliriver — 1824.

Shriver, 'that after the usual thaws in the spring of the year,
and the melting of the heavy snows which commonly fall in this
quarter, an inundation is produced, which covering the flat lands
for many miles along Deep creek, produces a lake of considerable
extent. This overflow frequently continues for several days,
during which time, the wild fowl that frequent inland seas, in their
vernal migration to the north, frequently stop, and are seen for a
while sporting on the bosom of this transitory mountain lake.'

2. In concluding the account of the physical geography of
Allegany county, it may be proper to add a cursory view of its
actual agricultural condition, prospects and resources.

A territory composed of mountain ridges and spurs, intersected
by narrow dales, will necessarily present large tracts unavailable
for agricultural purposes ; and when remote from a market of
consumption, its improvement is proportionally retarded. Hence
the agricultural statistics of this portion of the State are not
so interesting in facts, nor show such rich results as those of
other sections. But it has already been said, that the soils, which
are mostly produced by the disintegration of limestone rocks,
red sandstone, shales and slates, or richly constituted alluvial bot-
toms, are in their natural condition productive, highly improveable,
and sufficiently protected in many places from sudden inclemen-
cies of the season to allow them to be safely and profitably culti-
vated. The facilities that will, it is hoped, before long, be offered
in the passage of a canal and rail road, through part of it, in ad-
dition to a paved road nearly through its whole breadth, cannot
fail to enhance its value in this as well as other respects ; whilst a
large increase of population, which it is confidently expected will
soon assemble among these mountains, collected together for the
purpose of carrying out the great operations to which their mine-
ral resources inevitably invite, will furnish inducement enough to
take advantage of every tillable rood of land. Many vales and
mountain slopes, now covered with valuable timber, will be con-
verted into arable fields, and in progress of time the county will
rank her superficial riches only second to that, which it will pre-
sently be shewn she possesses almost to an incredible extent,
below the surface.

On all the cleared lands, at present, the least attention to a
careful and judicious cultivation is rewarded by an abundant har-
vest of grass, provender, bread-stuff" of every description, and the
root crops generally, in abundance and of very superior quality.
4

Were the value of the soil estimated in reference to this alone, it
should stand much higher in the scale than it is now usually
rated.

The glades previously referred to, afford, as has already been
stated, facilities for raising immense herds of cattle, horses and
mules — and the multiplication of this last mentioned animal ought
at once to engage the attention of breeders and graziers, as they
will no doubt be in great demand as carriers in and out of the
subterranean drifts into the coal and iron-ore beds that remain
to be excavated, in continuation of those already commenced
with the most favourable prospects. Connected with the occupa-
tion of the herdsman is that of the sheep-master, to whom the
mountain pasturages afford great advantages ; — this region of
country, including the glades, being considered as better adapted
for raising sheep, than perhaps any other in the United States,

Few experiments have as yet been made in the County, with a
view of imparting a more permanent or additional fertility to the
soil. Lime has been used in some instances, and always with
success, furnishing sufficient evidence that this unfailing amender
of soils of every description, can render the same services to
Allegany county, that it has to other portions of the State. The
object is to apply it judiciously. The great abundance of fuel,
both in the way of coal and wood, and the consequent cheapness
at which the lime may be made, either by perpetual or periodical
kilns, or even without kilns by the method of damps., places the
article within the reach and means of every farmer.

Upon examining the character of the different soils that are
met with in the county, it would seem that only a few directions
are necessary as a guide to the surest and most advantageous
way of using lime. On these soils, a first dressing of fifty bushels
is advisable, after which a sowing of buckwheat to be turned in
when in full maturity. As the soil improves more lime is added,
until the whole amounts to about one hundred and fifty bushels.
Where the soil is rich and under active cultivation, the whole one
hundred and fifty bushels may be applied at once ; but it is
always advisable to turn in the first growth in its green state.

The inestimable value of lime to all the soils of the State has
so frequently been adverted to, that some disinclination is felt to
repeat the earnest solicitations that have been made to our far-
mers not to neglect its use ; but they require to be cautioned
against the scepticism of some who receive every thing that is

offered to them with suspicion, and more especially the infidelity
of others who disbelieve without inquiry, and scoff at the expe-
rience of the more confiding and enterprising. There is a natu-
ral disposition in farmers to avoid what they deem extra labour,
and they are particularly afraid of extra expenses. But when it
is considered that the labour of liming when accomplished, is soon
amply repaid, and continues to be so without any additional
trouble, almost indefinitely, it becomes reproachable to dispense
with it. As to the expense, in most parts of Ailegany county it
is trifling, and were it five times as great, it would be difficult to
point out any other surer or more profitable mode of investment.
A very remarkable instance of prejudice is mentioned as having
occurred not many miles off. Some years back a quarry of very
soft limestone was accidentally opened, which from its softness
and other appearances was mistaken for plaster or gypsum.
Under this supposition it was ground and used as a top dressing,
or scattered over the surface in quantities represented to be from
six to eight bushels to the acre. This operation was attended
visibly with the most beneficial results. In this state of things
specimens were forwarded to different chemists, whose analyses
concurred in proving that it was carbonate of lime=-a soft lime-
stone. Would it be believed, that so soon as this fact was known,
which broke the delusion as to the possession of wealth in the
shape of plaster of Paris, its use, notwithstanding the success of
its former application, was immediately discontinued!

Sec. II. Mineral JVealth of Allegany County^ and considerations
on the best means of developing it.

In a report submitted to his excellency, Governor Thomas, in
1833,* after an excursion into Allegany county, it was stated that
before long this western portion of the State of Maryland would
become the 'Wales of North America ;' and it might have been
added, Cumberland its Sheffield. It was then thought, how-
ever, that a more satisfactory evidence of the probable fulfilment
of this prediction would have been furnished, ere this time, by the
completion of the great works of internal improvement projected
by the State. There is reason to believe that the progress of
one — the Canal — has been delayed : first, by a want of necessary
information, as to the actual and positive resources of the coun-

•Report on a projected geological and topographical survey, by J. T. Ducatel
and J. H. Alexander, Esqs. (assisted by Philip T. Tyson,) in 1833.

try into which it is destined to penetrate : secondly, and conse-
quently, by incorrect as well as inadequate estimates of the
returns to be received by the State for her large investments. It
is the object in this section, therefore, to endeavor to furnish true
elements by which to estimate the mineral resources of the coun-
try ; to submit what, after mature deliberation, is conceived to be
the proper extension that should be given to the canal, after it
shall have reached Cumberland ; and finally, to prove, that what-
ever be the amount of past expenditures, and those required for
the future, according to the largest estimates, they will be amply
repaid by its completion to its natural termination in Maryland.

In 1836, some systematic researches were made under the
direction of the George's Creek Coal and Iron Company, hav-
ing for object, to expose to view some of the geological features
of the great coal basin of Frostburg. The details of a section
obtained on this occasion, (very nearly, it is deemed, at the centre
of the basin,) were published in the Annual Report of the same
year ; and a plate of those details is appended to this Report, as
an illustration of the subject under consideration. It will be seen
that there have been exposed 18 beds of coal in a height of
450 feet, the largest of which is 14 feet thick; and the total
thickness not less than 52 feet. The drifts have been carried
on in the largest vein, and extend at this time upwards of a
mile and a quarter in length. There have been erected a furnace
and a foundry. The furnace is 50 feet high, with boshes of 14§
feet ; and when in blast, the consumption of coal at the w^orks has
been 1,200 tons per month. During a campaign of a little less
than 4 months, 900 tons of iron have been made; and the highest
yield per week was 92 tons, the least 62, giving an average of
75 tons. The lump coal is delivered at the opening of the drift,
at an average cost of 50 cents per ton, and the iron-ore for
$2 50. Plate No. 2, appended to this Report, shews the posi-
tions and relations of the different measures which are explored
for the extraction of the iron-ores.

The iron obtained at those works (both with the cold and hot
blast) has been submitted to numerous tests, under the direction
of an experienced and intelligent iron-worker — Mr. Winans — and
has proved itself of superior quality ; being very soft and mallea-
ble, easily wrought, and at the same time sufficiently tough.

As these works were the first to be established, with a most
laudable enterprize, and as great advances have already been

made towards developing the resources of their location, it is very
proper they should be instanced with commendation; whilst their
results have served to show corresponding resources in many
other portions of this interesting region of country.

Within the present year, other operations have been com-
menced in another division of the coal basin, that have been car-
ried on with equal energy, activity and skill ; and, it is understood,
with the command of an adequate capital to realize, in time, the
rich promise of this new location. The operations of the Mary-
land and New York Iron and Coal Company, the one referred
to, have been carried on in the northern part of the basin on
Jennings' and Mattingly's runs. In making their researches for
coal, iron-ore and other necessary substances, regard has been,
in a great measure, paid to the facility of working the mines, the
transportation of the materials to the furnace, as well as down the
valley to a market. In consequence of this, the drifts are at a
considerable distance apart ; hence no accurate section has been
made, shewing the relative position of the strata with regard to
one another at any one given spot. But it is evident that such
examinations have more fully served to develope the mineral
resources of the region, and afford details that cannot fail to prove
interesting to those desirous of obtaining information on the
actual wealth of the basin, independent of any particular location.

It appears that the strata of coal, iron-ore, &c. &c. which are
available on the property now referred to, are comprehended in a
section of nearly 1,400 feet. Two series of operations have been
carried on ; one in the immediate vicinity of the furnaces ; the
other consists in openings made at various elevations on the east
flank of Mount Savage, consequently on the western side of the
coal basin. The researches in the former direction have brought
to view 6 coal seams, forming in their aggregate 26 feet of
workable coal. In the beds of iron-ore, two important open-
ings have been made that exhibit bands of a rich argilla-
ceous oxide of iron, averaging, probably, 30 per cent, of metal.*

*It may be proper (o remark here, that no chemical analyses of these ores have
as yet been made : the object at present, being to call the attention of the public
and the legislature, to the general resources of the country. The estimate of their
value is based ujjon their physical characters, which, when applied to specimens of
usual occurrence, scarcely leave room for any serious deception. More specific
information has been given in some cases, and will continue to be given as cir-
cumstances may require, to those more directly interested in their exploration and
practical use.

Another has been designated as occurring in balls imbedded in a
fire-clay, which is said to contain from 15 to 20 per cent, of iron,
and from 30 to 40 per cent, of lime. Several strata of fire-clay
have also been opened, from which bricks have been manufac-
tured for the inwalls of the furnaces. It is doubtful, from some
practical experiments, if they will prove available for the pud-
dling furnaces, but clays better constituted may still be expected
to be found. Two beds of limestone, one ten feet and the other
six feet thick, have been found within a convenient distance of
the furnaces, and of all other operations around them.

The second series of openings along the side of Savage show,
so far, 3 seams of coal, affording, on an average, 12 feet of
workable material. With regard to the ores, there have been
six beds of them opened, of variable richness as to quality and
quantity ; but all presenting themselves with favourable appear-
ances. Among these, one has been designated as brown haema-
tite, (a hydrated peroxide of iron.) Should it continue to pre-
serve its present characters as the drifts are prolonged, it will
rank with the most valuable iron-ores of the coal basin.

Two bands of limestone have been discovered in this direction
also ; and the existence of fire-clays ascertained. Besides this,
at both localities, there are numerous smaller bands of iron-
ore and seams of coal, that are kept in reserve for more extended
operations.

The present condition and expectations of the Mount Savage
Works are detailed in the following communication from Henry
Thomas Weld, Esq. one of the engineers attached to the works.

'Since the commencement of operations in May last, up to the
1st of December, more than two thousand five hundred tons of
ore had been taken out, besides large quantities of coal, limestone
and fire-clay, and a sufficient length of levels driven in the ore-
beds to take out at least thirty thousand tons of ore.

'With regard to the general progress of the works for the man-
ufacture of iron, the following is the result of our labour :

'The stacks of two blast furnaces of the largest class, have
been completed, and two engines rated at eighty horse-power
each, but capable of being worked much higher, have been made
and delivered by the West Point Foundry Association : the first
being intended for the blast furnaces, and the second for the roll-
ing mill and its appendages. The apparatus necessary for grind-
ing, drying and burning fire-brick to almost any extent, has been

erected : likewise limekilns, blacksmiths' and carpenters' shops,
boarding-houses, store and dwelling-houses, for the accommoda-
tion of upwards of one hundred families, while many more are in
progress of erection.

'Workmen are now employed in building the engine-house and
foundry, to be completed, if possible, before the severe weather
comes on. In the mean time, an engine of twenty horse-power
has been completed in Baltimore to blow the cupola, turn the
lathes, &c.

'Our progress is such that we can confidently expect to have
both furnaces in blast in the course of a very few weeks.'

These two enterprizes — the George's Creek Coal and Iron
Company, and the Mount Savage Works — are more particularly
referred to, because they have contributed more than all the rest
towards the development of the resources contained within the
coal basin. There are other concerns ready to go into operation,
so soon as the promised facilities for obtaining an outlet to their
now literally buried wealth will be presented to them by the State.
It appears that there are at present within the limits of the coal
region twelve incorporated companies, with a chartered capital
of six million seven hundred thousand dollars ; and it is probable
that the value of their property in the market, whenever the canal
shall have reached its natural termination, will rather greatly
exceed than fall short of this amount.*

* The following are the Reports and Documents, official or otherwise, so far
published, embracing accounts of different sections of the coal basin, with opinions
concerning, and estimates of, the quantity, quality, and value of the coal and iron-
ores within it, and also the charters of the different companies.

1. Collection of Reports and Letters of the Engineers of the Chesapeake and
Ohio Canal Company.

2. Report on a projected Geological and Topographical Survey of the State of
Maryland, by Julius T. Ducatel, Professor of Chemistry, &c. and John H. Alex-
ander, Esq. Top. Eng. — 1833. Republished in Silliman's Journal, No. 1, vol. xxvii.

3. Report of an Examination of the Coal Measures including the Iron-ore
deposites, belonging to the Maryland Mining Company, in Allegany County, &c.
&c. by George W. Hughes, United States' Civil Engineer.— 1836.

4. Report on the New Map of Maryland. — 1836. Report of the Geologist,
sec. 6, p. 48.

5. Charter, &c. of the George's Creek Coal and Iron Company, containing a
detailed account of the Geology, &c. of this locality. — 1836.

6. Report of the Hon. Wm. Cost Johnson to Congress, Doc. H. Rep. No. 168. —
1836.

7. Report of the Hon. Charles Fenton Mercer to the House of Representatives
of the United States in 1834, Doc. No. 414, Appendix.

8. A Letter addressed to the General Assembly of Maryland, by Duff Green, on
the Bill incorporating the Union Company. — 1836

Some conception may already be formed, from the preceding
pages, of the immense value of this coal-field, in reference to its
coal alone. But in order to exhibit more satisfactorily its true
intrinsic value, both as regards coal and iron, the following calcu-
lations, founded upon data carefully obtained, are further sub-
mitted.

The length of the George's creek coal basin, taking its northern
extremity to be a little beyond the Maryland line, and its southern
to reach about two miles above Mr. Bruce's, on the North branch
of Potomac, may be stated at forty miles. Its width along the
National road, where there are good opportunities of observing
it, is four and a half miles ; and it seems to be about the same,
where it is cut through by the Potomac, near Westernport. Its
shape is therefore oval ; its longitudinal axis being as before,
forty miles, and its transverse five miles and two-thirds. As the
distances from which this transverse axis is derived, are along the
inequalities of the surface, it may also safely be assumed, that
this length is the development of the curved strata of the coal.
These elements of calculation, give for the area of the oval an
extent of one hundred and seventy-six square miles ; which, to
determine the quantity of the coal, would only have to be multi-
plied by the thickness before given of the strata, were it not

9. Charter and By-Laws of the Boston and New York Coal Company, &c. to
which is appended the Report of the Special Agent. — 1837.

10. Report of the Examination and Survey of the Coal-field and Iron-ore,
belonging to the Boston and New York Coal Company, at Frostburg, &c. &c. —
1837.

11. Extracts from a Report made to the New York and Maryland Coal and Iron
Company, &.c. by Benjamin Silliman, aided by Benjamin Silliman, Jr. — 1838.

12. A Report made by Henry Thomas Weld, Esq. of the Maryland and New
York Iron and Coal Company's Land, &c. — 18.39.

13. A Letter to the President and Directors of the Boston and New York Coal
Company, by John Pickell, late U. S. Army, and on Engineer Service. — 1839.

14. Report of Captain Ericsson, Civil Engineer, London, shewing the cost of
the coal of the Maryland Mining Company per ton, delivered at the several cities
of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York.— 1839.

15. Report to the Potomac and Allegany Coal and Iron Manufacturing Com-
pany, by F. Sheppard. — 1839.

16. Major Douglass' Report on the Coal and Iron Formation of Frostburg and
the Upper Potomac, in the States of Maryland and Virginia. — 1838.

17. Charters of the Union Potomac Company and the Union Company, with a
description of their Coal and Iron Mines, &c. — 1840.

18. A description of the Frostburg Coal Formation of Allegany County, Mary-
land, with an account of its Geological position, by Philip T. Tyson. Published in
the Transactions of the Marj'land Academy of Science and Literature, vol. i.
part i.— 1887.

that the numerous streams which are tributary to Jennings' run,
George's Creek, and the Potomac, as well as those branches
themselves, have altered the shape of the surface and washed
out, as previously stated, a considerable quantity of coal along
with the earth that they have carried away. The accurate deter-
mination of the amount of this denudation could only be made
after a special survey, having for its object to determine the shape
of the surface ; but it is supposed that an approximation may be
made, not liable to material error.

From surveys of the George's Creek Company, we are war-
ranted in concluding that at the level of the large bed, in a dis-
tance of five miles above Lonaconing, there has been denuded
two hundred acres, for every mile in length of George's creek —
not counting the subsidiary streams that unite with the creek in
that distance. In a similar manner, at the level of the eight-foot
bed, one hundred and forty feet lower, there has been denuded
one hundred acres, for every mile in length of George's creek.
From the consideration of the proportion furnished by these two
cases, and the details of the particular measurements which lead
to the results above given, it may be assumed that every mile in
length of all the streams in the basin, has been equivalent to a
denudation, or washing away, of one hundred and seventy-five
acres.

A minute and careful measurement on the map of the streams
laid down, shews their combined lengths to be one hundred and
thirty-eight miles and three-quarters ; which sum, making allow-
ance for those not laid down, because not known, and others too
minute for the scale of the map, may be raised to one hundred
and fifty miles.

For the amount of denudation then, we have
150 X 175 = 26,250 acres.

The entire extent of the coal field was said before to be one
hundred and seventy-six square miles, or nearer 113,097 acres.

From which subtracting .... 26,250 "

There is left 86,847 «

as the extent underlaid by the beds of coal and iron-ore.

To determine accurately the available thickness of those beds

is a difficult point, but may be arrived at, approximately, upon the

following data. From the workings and sections at Lonaconing,

it appears that there are in a height of four hundred and fifty

feet, beds, amounting in all to fifty-two feet of coal and seventeen
feet of iron-ore. No borings have been made, with a view of
determining the strata below : but there is no conclusive reason
why, in the depth of six hundred feet (from Lonaconing to the
Potomac at Westernport) there should not be alternations of beds
to an equal amount. However that may be, there are at present
only known twenty-five feet of coal, in the aforesaid space of six
hundred feet. And when it is considered how many of those beds
are only one or two feet in thickness, and from their associations
above and below, not to be got out with a reasonable economy, it
is better to suppose, with our present means of knowledge, that
the workable beds of avail, do not exceed in thickness, forty-five
feet, or fifteen yards. This is the quantity which may be as-
sumed in the calculations that follow, to ascertain the whole
number of cubic yards in the coal field.

Extent in acres, ...... 86,847

Number of square yards per acre, .... 4,840

Thickness of beds in yards, .... 15

These numbers multiplied together will give
the whole number of cubic yards, . . 6,305,137,287

And as one ton of coal is generally estimated as occupying the
space of one cubic yard, there is in the basin no less than six

THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED AND FIVE MILLIONS ONE HUNDRED
AND THIRTY-SEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-
SEVEN TONS OF COAL.

As regards the iron-ore : — the thickness of the beds in the
Lonaconing section has been before said to be seventeen feet ;
and there are other beds below, in the six hundred feet before
mentioned. A report of the Union Company (whose examina-
tions have been particularly directed to this space) states sixteen
feet as having been measured and identified. When the position
and associations of these beds are considered, (as in the case of
the coalj) not more than nine feet or three yards can be assumed
as workable. In the report of the George's Creek Company,
seven feet were assumed as the probable amount above the base
of their section.

Taking then the same elements of calculation as for the coal, the
number indicating the total amount of ore is, 1,261,027,457 yards,
and in weight, ..... 3,237,576,144 tons;
or about half the weight of the coal in the basin, and enough to

yield, in the proportion demonstrated by actual practice, one

THOUSAND AND SEVENTY-NINE MILI^IONS ONE HUNDRED AND
NINETY-ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN TONS
OF CRUDE IRON.

These quantities are so enormous, as to render impracticable
any valuation of the contents of the basin from the selling price
of any small fractional part of its products. Thus, for instance, if
for a guide the rent of the anthracite mines of Pennsylvania be
taken at its lowest, 25 cents per ton of coal, the value of the Alle-
gany coal only, would be nearly $1,600,000,000 — a sum which,
under all circumstances, might be called impossible to be realized at
any one epoch. Or, if we attempt to arrive at it in another way,
by determining the amount of capital necessary to be outlaid in
working the mines to their full extent, it would be difficult to
accord in the estimate ; and not less so, to define the precise
period of years which would be required to effect the total extrac-
tion of the material. The method of rental, however, may be
taken as an exponent of the intrinsic value of the basin, so far as
coal and iron are concerned.

But there is one practical calculation which may be fairly made,
and which should have just weight with the interests of the State ;
and that is the present value of the annuity of tolls on the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal, (through which the whole quantity must
pass,) rated according to the capacity of the canal, upon the
entire quantity of coal and iron which has already been indicated.
That capacity was stated by the committee of the stockholders
in 1839, as being at present 1,000,000 tons per annum, but capa-
ble of increase by double locks, and some additional feeders, to
10,000,000 of tons annually. In the one case, the coal could not
be exhausted for upwards of 50 centuries : in the other, it would
last for 500 years.

The whole of the coal in the basin, as before stated, must, of
necessity, be delivered along the canal — after subtraction made of
the waste in the mines, and elsewhere. This waste in the En-
glish mines, is one-half of the quantity sold ; or one-third of the
entire coal in the mine. Applying this deduction, there is left
about 4,200 millions of tons of coal, which must all go down the
canal in annual quantities, up to ten millions of tons, and pay toll
at the present established rate, of one-half cent per ton per mile,
or ninety three cents in allj from Cumberland to Georgetown.

If one million be assumed as the annual trade, the present
value of the tolls would be about, at six per cent, seventeen mil-
lions of dollars.

If the maximum of ten millions be taken, it would be one
hundred and sixty millions of dollars.

Thus it appears, that whatever the State may outlay for the
canal, and facilities to the coal-proprietors, under seventeen mil-
lions of dollars, is perfectly secure from the downward coal-trade
alone, supposing that trade to be equal to, and never exceeding, a
million of tons. If it did exceed this amount, the annual revenue
would be correspondingly increased, the premium of the stock
would advance, and the cash value of the annuity of tolls would
vary from seventeen to one hundred and fifty millions of dollars ;
or in other words, the State would be in possession of a perma-
nent capital to that amount.

The determination of the amount of trade likely to be carried
on in the article of coal along the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, is
another point hardly to be predicted. What has been said here-
tofore, is upon the supposition, that the entire downward capacity
of the canal be employed. There are no conclusive data tending
to establish this as a fact of occurrence, immediately upon the
completion of the work : but neither the value of the coal basin,
nor the interest of the State in owning the communications from
that basin, can be supposed to be overrated, even in case some of
the deductions from the positions just taken, should not, for seve-
ral years, hold good in point of fact.

The export of coal from the anthracite fields of Pennsylvania,
may be said to have grown, in a period of fifteen years, from nine
thousand five hundred tons to eight hundred thousand tons.* As

* The following table shews the amounts of anthracite coal exported annually,
from the commencement of the trade to the present year.
years. Tons.

1820 .... 365

1821 1,073

1822 .... 2,240

1823 , . . . . 5,823

1824 .... 9,541

1825 33,699

1826 .... 48,115

1827 64,798

1828 .... 85,292

1829 .... 122,403

1830 .... 192,734

Years.

Tons.

1831 .

226,820

1832

. 363,871

1833 .

545,588

1834

. 376,636

1835 .

557,535

1836

. 696,526

1837 .

864,751

1833

. 709,716

1839 .

785,553

1840, estimated

. 794,000

that growth had, however, to contend against much prejudice,
against the intrinsic inconveniences of the article itself, and
against the absence for some time of means to communicate rea-
dily with a market, while it was wanted by a smaller population
than exists now, it cannot be considered an extravagant estimate
to suppose the trade on the canal, provided suitable approaches are
made to the coal region itself, which the canal does not reach, and
will not have reached at Cumberland, might attain the same quan-
tity, (eight hundred thousand tons,) in seven years. After that,
referring to the fluctuations of the Pennsylvania coal trade, it
cannot be safe to suppose that the consumption will increase
in a ratio greater than the population, inasmuch as the exports
from this region will be then fully one-third of the entire con-
sumption of the United States, in coal which can be said to
have been exported. This increase of population may be set
down, in the districts accessible to the Frostburg coal basin, at
about two per cent, per annum ; and assuming at the end of
7 years after completion, a trade of . . 800,000 tons ;
the increase would amount

at the end of 10 years after completion, to 848,967 tons ;

do. 15 years do. 937,328 tons ;

do. 20 years do. 1,034,886 tons.

This increase is not, perhaps, so rapid as might be desired by
those interested in the subject ; but it appears a safe estimate,
and is abundant to demonstrate the immense value which should
attach to the region ; inasmuch as it shews that the State will be
receiving at the end

of 7 years after completion, more than 8 per cent.

of 10 do. do. nearly 9 do.

of 15 do. do. 91 do.

of 20 do. do. more than 10 do.

upon all her past, present and future investments in the work,
assuming the estimates of last year to have been correct, and
that the work can be finished in two years from this time.

Nevertheless, all estimates in matters of this sort, are to be
received with a great deal of caution; and the Geologist has been,
perhaps, tediously particular in referring to the data upon which
he has founded the present results. A remarkable instance of the
fallacy of calculations, applied to a similar subject, may be
found in the estimate made, apparently with great care, for the

Legislature of Pennsylvania, in 1834.* Taking, as they did,
the progression of ten consecutive years, (he exports of anthra-
cite was, this year, to have exceeded four millions : or what is
the same thing, every fourth soul of our whole population, east
and west, should make way with rather more than one ton per
annum. Yet all parties, from the State that constructs the means
of communication, to the proprietors of the mines, appear to be
well satisfied with a trade of less than one-fifth the expected
amount.

In the above table of exports, 800,000 tons has been allowed
as the consumption likely to exist by analogy with the Pennsyl-
vania coal trade, at the end of 7 years after the completion of the
canal. But it would be very difficult to assign for each one of
those seven years, its corresponding consumption. The follow-
ing considerations may be taken in connection with this part of
the subject.

With a large amount of nominal capital, as before stated,
it yet happens that but a small sum, comparatively, has been
actually outlaid, or is ready to be outlaid for the exploration of
the mineral resources of Allegany. One main reason for this is,
the delay in the canal and the loss of interest, which those who

* The following extract from the Report alluded to, may be taken in illuslration
of the text.

'The average increase of consumption from the commencement of the anthracite
coal trade in 1S20, lias been a fraction more than 33 per cent, or an increase of
one-third yearly.

•If the annual consumption of coal for the ensuing ten years, should be in the
Same ratio as that of the ten years past, the increase will be as follows :
'1833, 592,210 Ions, at $5 00 per ton, .^2,961,050.

1834,

789,613

do.

3,948,065.

1835,

1,052,280

do.

5,261,100.

1836,

1,403,040

do.

7,015,200.

1837,

1,870,713

do.

9,353,555.

1838,

2,494,284

do.

12,171,420.

1839,

3,325,712

do.

16,628,560.

1840,

4,434,282

do.

22,171,410.

1841,

5,912,377

do.

29,561,880.

1842,

7,883,168

do.

39,415,840.

1843,

10,510,890

do.

52,544,4.'50.'

Report of the Committee of the Senate of Pennsylvania on the subject of the
Coal Trade ; 4 March, 1834— page 44.

It may only be remarked, in connection with this, that the actual increase in
twenty years, has been at the rate of 40,000 tons per annum, or less. To apply
this in any fractional relation to the amounts of any one of the years of the pro-
gression, is to bring in questions of compound interest, which are inapplicable in
matters of this kind.

became proprietors some time since, at high prices, have found
themselves compelled to suffer. Out of the twelve incorporations
who hold property in the coal fields, it is therefore hard to say,
what number will go into immediate operation. If one-third of
the number, or four companies, be supposed to go into immediate
operation, the probable amount delivered might be from one hun-
dred thousand, to one hundred and twenty thousand tons of coal:
and if so many should not be active, the export, it is to be pre-
sumed, will not exceed twenty-five to thirty thousand tons from
each mine. This is not an arbitrary limit, but has been fixed
after consulting with those who have already acquired practical
experience. It is by no means meant that a larger amount could
not in j)ossibility be got out ; but that the interest of the pro-
prietors would be soon seen to be better secured in this propor-
tion, under all circumstances, than in costly and troublesome
attempts to expand the amount of their exports. The quantity
just mentioned can be readily delivered from one adit ; and it is
to be presumed, that the proprietors would desire to see the ma-
chinery and arrangements of the first mine working to their satis-
faction, before the establishment of the second. It will be found,
also, that this result agrees with what has taken place on the
opening of new mining operations in Pennsylvania.*

The uncertainty as to the amount to be delivered at first, is
increased by the circumstances of the location of the most impor-
tant coal beds with reference to Cumberland ; which is so far con-
sidered to be the terminus of the canal, though yet te7i miles from

* The following table compiled from the Senate Report, already referred to,
shews the names of sundry proprietors of active coal mines, the time that they
had been engaged in the working of their mines, and the amount of exports which
they had attained during the last year of that period. Almost all the individuals
concur in asserting an ability to render active the trade in coal, fully equal to that
of incorporated companies.

Samuel Lewis,

in 34

years.

mined 4,500 tons, per ann

F. Hass, ....

do. .

3,000 tons.

Samuel Brooke,

. 6

do.

• e

4,500 tons.

W. Wagner,

do. .

6,200 tons.

F. B. Nichols,

do.

5,000 tons, nearly.

James Wilde, stopped in 1830,

do. .

25,000 tons.

V. B. Palmer,

do.

1,800 tons.

N. America Co.

do. .

25,000 tons.

John C. Ernst,

do.

1,000 tons.

Hodgson, Pinkerton &. Co.

do. .

5,500 tons.

D. R. Bennett,

do.

3,000 tons.

Jacob Serrill,

do. .

((

5,000 tons,

the nearest coal, and more than forty from the farthest. It is
manifest, that the use of the canal depends upon the willingness
and ability of the coal proprietors to construct the necessary inter-
communications. It so happens too, that the bulk of the coal is
more remote than the mean distance : and from the nearer points,
it is questionable whether the most prudent policy would not be
to restrain the export of coal, in order to preserve it for a more
profitable application in the manufacture of iron. Now assuming
that the owners in the southern extremity of the basin, are pre-
pared at present with the necessary funds for the construction of
the suitable intercommunications, it is rather to be expected that
as sagacious men, they will not be led away by the prospect of
gain, to adventure largely, until they are satisfied that the main
channel of transit will be completed for them, from Cumberland
down. It is admitted now, that to have commenced their im-
provements before, would have been premature; it will be equally
so, until the canal can be more certainly expected to be finished
at a stipulated period, than is at present ascertained. From the
amount of work, too, necessary to be done upon the aforesaid
intercommunications, some time (it may be safely said two years)
must elapse between their commencement and completion. And
this circumstance throws another uncertainty upon what they
might be disposed to do. If, for instance, the works alluded to,
should be commenced at any time, say one year before the com-
pletion of the main canal, it could not be assumed that they
should be finished in less than one year after such completion.
The consequence would be, an idle year, so far as the transporta-
tion of coal is concerned. It is hardly possible that a trade in
other articles would supply the expected revenue.

All these facts and remarks bear upon the propriety and advan-
tage of the State's adventuring to construct an improvement of
the Potomac above Cumberland, into the very heart of the coal
regioH, that is, to the mouth of Savage. This would not only
equalize the localities in the coal region, but would tend to render
certain, what is now only problematical ; namely, a trade to the
proportional amount before mentioned from each of the several
companies owning property at the southern extremity of the basin.

It may not be amiss to remark, in view of the profits to be
derived from this work, that whilst it might be delayed in the
hands of private enterprize — among other things, by the fear of
its not being productive — the State alone has no such cause for

apprehension. It may be said generally, that every ton passing
over the thirty miles from Cumberland, to the mouth of Savage,
and paying a toll, say of fifteen cents, (or thirty cents, if the full
tariff is imposed, to which the coal proprietors would probably make
no objection,) pays six times that amount on the main canal — all
of which goes to the State treasury. To apply and illustrate this
in a specific case: suppose the canal finished to Cumberland and
there stopping — no trade would come down from the southern
extremity of the basin so long as the works in that extremity
remained incomplete. Preceding considerations have indicated
one year as a period of incompleteness certainly to be expected.
Greater detailed information than the Geologist can be supposed
to have access to, would perhaps make reasonable a longer
period. But it is sufficient for the illustration to take one year.
By the first hypothesis, the revenue of the canal will be at best,
but twenty-five per cent, of what might otherwise be derivable
from the coal trade. Under the second hypothesis, of the exten-
sion being made to the mouth of the Savage by the State, simul-
taneously with the main canal, take two companies out of the
four or five who are located there, and suppose them active to the
amount before mentioned, viz : fifty thousand tons in all : full
tolls on this amount to Cumberland would be . $15,000

And the present tariff on the canal, on only 40,000,
tons, supposing 10,000 to be abstracted for consump-
tion at Cumberland, may be set down . . . 40,000

$55,000
Or very nearly six per cent, on a million of dollars.

This forty thousand dollars, it is to be observed, is clear gain ;
for it only exists in consequence of the co-existence of the exten-
sion, and may be fairly set down as profits of that extension.
Only the State however — no other party — can be in the case of
regarding it in this light. To private corporations making the
extension, the first year's work under their management would be,
more or less, according to the character of the work, a loss.

The extra profit on the main canal, from upward freight, in the
five hundred cargos of coal which have gone down, is left out
of view. And another remark may be made here, in connection
with what was before said about equalizing facilities for all the
localities — and this expression is not used with any reference to
the interest of the several proprietors, but to the interest of the
6

Stale, as the assignee of the profits of the canal. It is admitted
that the mines of the northern end of the basin would be, upon
completion of the canal to Cumberland, first in activity. But
may it not be presumed that for some time, the great part of their
products M'ill be used on the Baltimore and Ohio rail road ? As-
suming a trade, less active than there is reason to hope will exist
upon that road, and it will require nearly all the produce of two
mines, rated as before, to supply it in fuel. It is all very well that
the coal owners get a prompt market for their produce, and that
the rail road company get a better and cheaper fuel — but no part
of this fuel, be its amount great or small, goes upon the canal,
at least for a long time to come, or pays any toll to the State.

Of the cost of the extension here suggested, the Geologist is
not the proper person to present an estimate. He contents him-
self with extracting the following passages from a recent letter of
Judge Wright, whose skill as an engineer is indisputable, remark-
ing upon this very subject. He says :

'In my examinations of the river, (Potomac,) I came to an
opinion, in my own mind, that the formation of the country and
the river would induce me to adopt the lock and dam and short
canals, as the preferable plan.

'I made up an opinion that a good and useful navigation by
dams, pools, with tow-path along them, and canals of a half mile
to two miles long, could be carried up to Westernport, for about
twenty thousand dollars per mile.'

At this rate the extension could be made to Savage for
$600,000.

It has already been shewn, that if a trade of only fifty thou-
sand tons be created upon it, the interest of the outlay to its
extreme limit, will be borne by said trade. And as it would not
for sometime be to the advantage of private corporations to con-
struct such a communication, it would necessarily remain undone;
so that the hitherto-formed expectations of the State upon reve-
nue from the coal region would be, to a considerable extent,
frustrated.

The principal reliance of the State and of the stockholders in
the canal must, doubtless, be upon the coal trade; still there is
room to expect large profits from the transportation of iron — in
its crude and manufactured state — and of various commodities
that will be produced out of the other resources of the county.
In estimating, therefore, upon a preceding page, the progressive

increase of trade on the canal, the most obvious and paramount
cause only was taken into consideration. The resources now
alluded to, as well as contingencies that might create an unex-
pected expansion of the coal trade itself, were overlooked ; which
would be necessarily calculated to increase it beyond the limit of
the former computation. One of these contingencies may be
considered as having already occurred ; in the navigation of the
ocean by steam-ships. There can be no doubt, from the great
superiority of the Allegany coal, that wherever it can be obtained
at the same price, or even at a small advance in price, it will be
preferred. As an agent for the generation of steam, it has been
found much more effective than the ordinary English coal imported
into this country, and, of course, infinitely more than anthracite ;
the use of which, it is presumed, it will almost entirely supersede.
Lieutenant W. Y. Lynch, of the United States navy, in a letter to
the Hon. Wm. Cost Johnson, published in a report to congress,
says : 'that one ton of Cumberland coal is, in mechanical effect,
equal to two tons of anthracite.' Mr. Brien, the proprietor of
the Antietam iron works, says : 'we have made a fair experiment
of this coal compared with the Richmond, and find it to be a
much superior article. 07ie bushel of Cumberland coal is worth
two of Richmond, or any other we have used.' It is supposed
to be at least twice as efficacious for the same purpose of gene-
rating steam, as pine wood, and consequently will be preferred
in the navigation of our own waters by steamboats, or in the
transportation over the rail roads by locomotive engines. The
gases obtained from it for illuminating purposes have been found
to be purer and more brilliant than from other coals ; and as it
also furnishes a larger quantity of coke, its use, in this respect,
will be deemed more profitable. The chemical composition of
this coal has been so frequently given, that it is useless to repeat
it. It may be sufficient to state, that an average of all the ana-
lyses made by different chemists, shows it to contain about ninety-
three per cent, of combustible matter, with not more than five per
cent, of earthy matters, and in the main vein no sulphur.

After a careful survey of the Frostburg coal basin, having
become acquainted with evidences of the immense wealth it con-
tains, and considering it in connexion with that great State work,
the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, (which it would have been justi-
fiable to make, if only for the purpose of transporting the coal of
this region,) the above conclusions have been arrived at, and are

submitted. In his intercourse with his fellow-citizens in all parts
of the State, the Geologist has discovered, that the ideas enter-
tained of the value of the mineral region of Allegany county, and
of the services which the canal is to render, are very vague and
indefinite ; and not aware that any document is in course of
preparation to be laid before the public or the legislature, he has
extended his remarks beyond what might be considered his legiti-
mate province. His opinions, however, in reference to the more
intimate connection of the canal and coal basin, are given with
due deference to the more experienced and more enlightened
judgment of those who may have brought to the subject the same
attention, and will probably be called upon to decide upon it pro-
fessionally. Conflicting opinions may arise also out of supposed
local advantages ; but it is to be hoped that the general interest
of the State and canal principally, will be taken into conside-
ration. The Geologist, in forming his opinion, has looked at
nothing else.

It is hardly to be believed, that the canal proper will ever be
extended beyond Cumberland ; and at this place it has not reach-
ed the coal trade, upon which its utility and value depend. To
"wait until the necessary connection with the coal basin shall be
made by individual enterprize, would be retarding, to an almost
indefinite period, the profits which the State expects eventually to
derive from it. Should the companies situated at the southern
extremity of the basin conclude finally to construct the suggested
intercommunication, then it becomes doubtful whether it would
be good policy to allow them the exclusive control of it.

So far then as calculations upon reasonably assumed facts,
laid down in the preceding pages, can be relied on, it would ap-
pear, from what has been previously said, that the State is per-
fectly justifiable in advancing up to an outlay of seventeen mil-
lions of dollars for the canal and slack- water navigation up to the
mouth of Savage ; for so soon as it will begin to carry down one
million tons of coal annually, which is its present capacity, its
intrinsic value will be represented by that sum. But this amount
of trade can only be expected to arise out of the simultaneous
activity of both the northern and southern ends of the basin — the
latter of which, without the slack-water extension to the mouth of
Savage, must remain for a considerable period dormant.

The interest that would be attached to other items that might
be included within the statistics of the mineral wealth of Alle-

gany county, is absorbed by what belongs to those that have just
been considered ; yet there are other materials of value within
its limits which go to swell the amount of its mineral resources.
In the western part of the county in the Yohogany coal field beds
of excellent iron-ore, have been discovered on Bear creek, and
specimens of very good peroxide of manganese have likewise
been found. On Keyset's ridge there is a good deal of this mine-
ral, but so ferruginous as to impair its value. Lead has been
reported as also occurring ; but this whole region remains yet to
be explored.

In the immediate vicinity of Cumberland there occur, between
the strata of limestone, ledges of a mixed rock, consisting of
carbonate of lime, alumine, silex and a small proportion of oxide
of iron ; which produces an excellent hydraulic lime. It is sim-
ply calcined and then ground. The Messrs. Linn, upon whose
property it is found, and who discovered it, have obtained con-
tracts from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company, to
whom they supply large quantities of this cement, which, for
their constructions, proves as conveniently situated as it is ad-
vantageous.

The encrinital limestone mentioned in the the first section as
occurring in the valley of Eraddock's run is found to receive a
good polish ; it is of a light red colour, variegated by the fossils
which it contains, and may possibly, some day, find its way to a
market as an ornamental marble.

Beds of iron-ore, of the variety known as bog-iron, are found
on Warrior mountain ; and some inferior kinds of argillaceous
oxides of iron, together with erratic pieces of brown haematite
occur in Town-hill. It is not deemed prudent to calculate
largely upon their value ; and so it has been represented to those
who own the property upon which they have been seen. The
same remark applies to the existence of irregular veins of anthru'
cite coal, that seem in some unaccountable way to have become
wedged in, together with other coal rocks, on the summit of the
last named hill.

Sec. III. Physical Geography and Geology of Washington
County^ with an account of its Mineral resources.
The geographical extent, included within the limits of Wash-
ington county, is computed to be nearly five hundred and twenty-
five square miles, or three hundred and thirty-six thousand acres.

Its limits are Sideling hill creek, which separates it on the west,
from Allegany county, the crest of the South mountain dividing
it from Frederick county to the east, Mason and Dixon's line to
the north, and the Potomac at the south. It has always been
considered one of the most productive counties of the State, and
its physical geography and geology are peculiarly interesting.
For description, it may be divided into two regions, one w-est of
the North mountain, commonly known as the Blue ridge, its
mountainous portion, the other, the broad and fertile valley of
which Hagerstown is the centre.

The western slope of Sideling hill, is drained by a creek to
which it gives its name, that empties into the Potomac at a gap
through the ridge. It is used as a feeder to the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal, and flows through a forest of yellow pine. The
timber, however, on this side of the hill, has suffered much from
accidental fires. The traveller from the east, on ascending to the
summit of this ridge, sees an imposing mass of mountains before
him ; and if he would enjoy as magnificent a view of the scenery
which they afford, as might probably be found any where, he
should take lodgings the night before, at the comfortable inn of
Mr. John H. Mann, situated at the foot of Sideling hill. Rising
the next morning before day, if the weather be calm and the sky
clear, he should leisurely ascend the mountain, and on reaching
its top, cast his view back over the eastern country. He beholds
at first an extensive and darkly shadowed valley, intersected
transversely, and in two or three places longitudinally, by serpen-
tine lines of a lighter colour. He soon recognizes in these, the
mists settling upon water-courses ; the former lines indicating the
course of the Potomac, the others, the direction of the smaller
streams that empty into it. The view of the spectator is bounded
by the flank of the North mountain, over which a bright line indi-
cates the approach of day. As it advances, the mists seem to
increase, and on the emergence of the sun from behind the moun-
tain mass, they become luminous. The spedacle at this time is
indescribably grand. The broad valley now reflects the dark
green colour of the pines, the lofty summits of which become
visible ; the vapours over the river and confluent streams assume
a phosphorescent appearance, and as they are dispelled by the
sunbeams, form into wreaths of surpassing brightness. The
striking contrast which they then exhibit with the still dark sur-
face of the valley, is fancied to be imitated in the splendid mez-

zotint engravings of the school of Martin. As the shades disap-
pear, and the sun gains the ascendancy, the interest of the scenery
is still kept up in the extensive prospect it affords, as vsell as in
the beauty of its details.

The geology of Sideling hill is interesting. Its base and mass -
consists of the red sandstone ; whilst its superior portions are
composed of rocks of the coal series — sandstones, shales and
anthracite. These seem to have been originally very irregularly
deposited, or subsequently strangely distorted ; the strata being,
as it were, wedged into the red sandstone. Masses of millstone
grit also occur on the crest of the mountain and on its flanks.

Deep run and the Little Conoloway take their rise on the two
sides of a spur, connecting Sideling hill with the Conoloway
mountain ; the former running south and emptying into the Poto-
mac, the other in a north-eastern direction, through a gap in the
last named mountain, to discharge itself also into the Potomac, at
Hancock. The mass of Conoloway mountain is the blue cav-
ernous limestone. In the vicinity of Hancock, at the eastern foot
of the Conoloway, there are slates and shales, apparently belong-
ing to the coal series; but they form only a superficial covering
to the red sandstone, into which they run, and will which even
they sometimes alternate. Among them, there are some strong
sulphuretted chalybeate springs, on the property of Captain
Johnson. On the Virginia side of the river, two miles from
the village, on the road to Bath, a white sulphur spring has
been recently opened, on the estate of John C. Orrick, Esq.
An alternation of slate, red sandstone, and limestone, continues
into the North mountain, on the summit of w^hich, an indurated
sandstone, truly a quarzite, makes its appearance. This portion
of the county, between Hancock and the North mountain, watered
by the Big Conoloway and Licking creek, together with some
unimportant streamlets, all emptying into the Potomac, lies on
the southern slope of subordinate hills belonging to Pennsylvania*
On the borders of the Potomac, there are extensive alluvial bot-
toms, that have been much interfered with by the excavations for
the canal. There are no indications within these limits of the
continuation of the anthracite formation occurring in Virginia, on
Sleepy creek.

A more detailed account of the geology of the North mountain
is postponed to another occasion. Between it and the South
mountain, lies the valley of Hagerstown, which viewed from the

summit of Mount Casey, one of the projecting knobs of the Blue
ridge, can scarcely, it is thought, be surpassed in interest and
beauty, by any other region of country. Forming only part of an
immense valley, extending between two prominent ridges, from
the northern boundaries of the State of Pennsylvania, beyond the
southern limits of Virginia, the view wanders from north-east to
south-west, over an interminable succession of woodland and
cultivated fields, traversed in a south-eastern direction by the
Potomac, and lengthwise by the Conococheague, and the Antie-
tam. The whole of this valley, with the exception of a ridge of
slate rocks commencing on the east side of the Conococheague,
and extending between two and three miles, rests upon limestone
rocks. The limestone is cavernous, which imparts a peculiarity
to the physical geography of this portion of the county, of the
same sort of interest that was said to belong to some parts of
Allegany county. Most of the water-courses are furnished by
copious streams that issue from caverns in such abundance, that
they furnish mill-seats a few hundred feet from their sources.
The cold spring in the immediate vicinity of Hagerstown, pos-
sesses in this respect sufficient interest to deserve a visit from
travellers ; and under the management of its present proprietors,
Mr. Hiser and Son, who are about fitting up public baths on
this spot, will acquire additional claims to their attention and
favour. Another peculiarity of these springs is, that their waters
are highly charged with the bi-carbonate of lime, which they
acquire by contact with the limestone rocks in their subterranean
reservoirs. When exposed to the influence of the sun, the excess
of carbonic acid which they contained, and that rendered them
solvents of calcareous rocks, escapes, a pulverulent neutral car-
bonate is precipitated along their course. It is probable that
formerly these streams were still more abundant than at present ;
for on both sides of their actual course, there are broad and deep
deposites of this calcareous sediment. In consequence of their
copiousness, moreover, they never freeze ; and the Antietam,
"which is supplied in this way in every stage of its progress
through the country, thus furnishes a very large amount of never
failing water-power.

The Little Conococheague, on the west side of the valley, is a
stream of little importance. The Big Conococheague, which in
the same direction, divides the limestone from the slate rocks,
though affording some water-power, is not so constant as the

Antietam, The latter, reinforced by Beaver creek, which flows
through a flourishing settlement on the east side of the valley,
and by the Little Antietam, is the most important stream of the
county.

There is no doubt that there are in this limestone formation of
the valley, numerous caverns that are so many reservoirs of water
that have flowed into them from the adjacent mountains. These
waters are evidently not of subsidence from the rains that have
fallen over the surface of the country ; for in this case, their
level would be that of the springs whence they issue ; whereas,
when dammed, they are made to rise several feet above the
springs : they have, therefore, come mostly from the mountains.
These circumstances have suggested the probability that borings
for water, (or as they are termed, Artesian wells,) might be sunk
with success, which would furnish a constant supply, even at
some elevation above ground, of soft w'ater. If it be true that the
waters of the springs have come from the mountains, they have
become hard, or impregnated with lime, during their sojourn in
the caverns previously referred to ; and should it be found practi-
cable to tap them before their passage, they might be brought
to the surface with their original purity, which would be for
many purposes desirable. There can be but little doubt, at
all events, that a constant supply of water of some kind would
be obtained by boring at probably no very considerable depth.
Some of the caves are very near to the surface, and in one
instance, there is formed a remarkable, circular, funnel-shaped
pond, upwards of a hundred feet in diameter, and of considerable
depth, without any outlet to the water contained within it, the
level of which is said to vary but little, and without any accor-
dance with the variations of the seasons. This pond occurs at
the western foot of the South mountain, near Cavetown.

The surface of the valley is rolling, in some places hilly ; these
irregularities arising from the different character of the limestone
rocks and slates, that have opposed various degrees of resistance
to the disintegrating effects of time. At its south-east extremity
there is a prominent ridge, called the Elk hills, running parallel
with the South mountains, and like them, capped with quarzite.
Between them is a thrifty settlement, know'n as Pleasant valley,
which is watered by Israel's creek. The southern termination of
the Elk hills, forms the Maryland side of the gap at Harper's
Ferry, and between their western slope and the Antietam, and
7

generally on the eastern side of this stream, the limestone rocks
assume a distinct character, passing from the ordinary blue-
limestone to marbles of the finest grain, from white, to many
shades of colour; fitting them for statuary and other ornamental
purposes. It would seem, that by an effort which it is difficult
to understand, and much more to appreciate, the marbles of this
region have been used in nature's great factory, as the materials
required in the formation of the breccious rock quarried on the
banks of the Potomac, and used in the erection of the well
known colonnade for the house of representatives and senate
chamber, at Washington. Some of these marbles now form,
and will in time constitute a more important item in the mineral
statistics of the county. White statuary marbles, and others
variegated and of fine grain, are quarried north of Leitersburg,
on the Little Antietam, and a few miles south of Boonsborough.

The iron-ores that formerly furnished occupation for three fur-
naces and two forges have been well nigh exhausted. Only one
of these establishments, is at present in operation — the Antietam
Works — which is in part supplied with ore from a locality two
miles above Harper's Ferry, on the Maryland side of the Poto-
mac, and from a similar deposite on the Virginia shore, six
miles above the ferry. The ore is of that variety usually termed
pipe-ore, or sometimes limestone-ore, from the circumstance of its
usually occurring in this rock. It yields a metal of very good
quality, well adapted to the manufacture of bar-iron, and is said
to be in great esteem at the United States' armory. Harper's
Ferry, from which the works are only at a short distance. The
iron-ores, and indications of iron-ore, that present themselves at
the other extremity of the county — on Sideling hill — are not
deemed to be promising enough to justify any great outlay for
their exploration.

In the report addressed to the executive of Maryland as early
as the year 1833,* there is the following paragraph :

'Williamsport, situated near the confluence of the Conoco-
cheague and Potomac, has been frequently indicated as the centre
of a district in which anthracite coal might confidently be expect-
ed to occur. The undersigned are not aware of the grounds
upon which this assertion has been made. As was stated in
regard to certain parts of Frederick county, there is nothing which

*Report on the projected survey of the State of Maryland; Silliman's Journal,
No. 1, vol. xxvii. page 27.

absolutely forbids It, nor is there any thing which, in their know-
ledge, indicates it. The known region of anthracite^ supposing
it necessarily to extend from Pennsylvania through Maryland,
would not be found to correspond with this portion of the State ;
it would rather strike farther west, between Hancock and Side-
ling hill.'

This prediction has been verified. Anthracite is found in
Sideling hill ; but unfortunately under circumstances that preclude
the probability of its being made available, except to a very limit-
ed extent.

Specimens of sulphuret of lead have been collected in this
vicinity, and forwarded a few years back for examination. One
of these was found to contain three per cent, of silver : but all
endeavours that could be made during the past year to ascertain
their locality, have been fruitless. Another article of some com-
mercial value has been produced from within the limits of the
county, which want of opportunity, and the absence of those ac-
quainted with its precise locality, have left still unexplored. The
article referred to is known in the arts by the name of Emery. It
is an exceedingly hard mineral, associated to the corundum or
adamantine spar, and is extensively employed for grinding metals,
glass, &c. for which purpose it is reduced to various degrees of
fineness by elutriation and other processes, and then sent into the
market, where it commands from three to four dollars per cwt.
This mineral has been found on the estate of Mr. Brien, in the
vicinity of the Antietam iron works. Indications of copper pre-
sent themselves in the quarzite of the South mountains in Har-
man's gap, but with little promise of any consequence. Cabinet
specimens of the green carbonate of copper were presented for
inspection, that are said to have been derived from this locality.

Among the mineral resources of the county, should be enume-
rated, together with that inexhaustible and most valuable one to
its agricultural interests — limestone — those calcareous deposites
that have been previously referred to as occurring along the mar-
gin of the streams that flow from the limestone springs of the
country. These deposites occur wherever such springs are, and
considered collectively, furnish an abundant material wherewith to
improve the agricultural condition of the lands. Few experi-
ments have been as yet made with it, and the results, so far, ap-
pear discrepant; but there can be no doubt of its usefulness, if
properly employed ; a desideratum which time and experience

only can supply. It has already been found that the meadows,
which rest upon this calcareous sediment, and are in their origi-
nal condition unproductive, are benefited to a great degree, by
hauling upon them the clay soil of the hill-sides ; so that it is
reasonable to suppose that a converse operation would prove
equally beneficial. If so, it is only necessary to point to the ad-
vantages of both operations being carried on simultaneously.
Another obvious mode of employing it with certain advantage, is
as an ingredient in composts ; for which purpose it should be libe-
rally hauled into the barn-yard and manure-pits. Under these
circumstances, in contact with vegetable and animal matters, it
would bring about a rapid fermentation, during which numerous
salts would be formed that in themselves constitute powerful
manures. It has been strongly urged upon the intelligent and
enterprizing farmers of the county to submit this material to
varied experiments ; and there is reason to expect that some good
will result to its agricultural interests from them.

The limestone rocks, that have been referred to as underlying a
large portion of the county, vary considerably in their chemical
composition. They are found of great purity, constituting the
statuary marbles already mentioned ; whilst there are others that
contain a large proportion of silex and alumine, which greatly
enhances their value ; as they are, in consequence of this admix-
ture, rendered fit for the production of a hydraulic cement that
has been employed with great advantage in the construction of
the locks and dams of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. The
true character of those limestones, that afford hydraulic lime, has
been of late years investigated with great care. It results from a
great number of analyses made by some distinguished chemists
abroad, that silex alone may form with lime a compound eminent-
ly hydraulic, and that magnesia alone, or mixed with the oxides
of iron, or manganese, or with both, cannot produce a similar
compound. These results have been confirmed by a series of
synthetic operations conducted by Vicat, proving that nlumine
alone, which is the basis of all clays, has no more efficacy in
rendering the lime hydraulic, than mngnesia ; secondly, that silex
is one essential ingredient in all limes of this sort ; thirdly, that
the oxides of iron and of manganese exert no influence of the
kind ; and fourthly, that the proportions of silex and alumine^
should be such as to constitute the ordinary kinds of clay. The
material quarried near Funkstown, and used by Mr. George

Schaeffer, answers admirably this last condition ; it is in fact a
mixture of carbonate of lime and clay. At this last named locality
the cement stone, which is in strata of from two inches to eighteen
inches, lies imbedded in the ordinary blue limestone of the coun-
ty, and is not unfrequently covered by layers varying from six
inches to four feet of a refractory limestone, of light yellowish
colour, hard, compact, and containing an excess of alumine. The
rock which appears to be the best adapted for producing the hy-
draulic lime is of a pale blue colour, compact texture, with an
even fracture. Other localities affording materials of the same
value occurs within the limits of the county. The same enter-
prizing citizen just named, it is understood, has large contracts
for this cement with the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company,
which he produces from materials at hand, in the vicinity of
Hancock.

Sec, IV. Agricultural Condition of Washington County.

Though the agricultural condition of the county may be said
to be prosperous, there is still room to expect some benefits from
the application of mineral and other manures, directed according
to a better knowledge of the various kinds of soil that occur
within its limits. These soils vary according to the nature of the
rocks from which they are in part derived and which they overlie.
In the preceding section, the limits of the different kinds of rocks
were laid down; and it now remains to point out the distinctive
characters of the soils which cover them.

The western portion of the county embraced by the North
mountain and Sideling hill, has been described as formed, in a
great measure, of the termination, or spurs, of subordinate ridges
that constitute a part of the territory of Pennsylvania. It is but
a small part of the county, from which the excavations for the
canal have abstracted a considerable portion of its best arable
lands, consisting of rich alluvial bottoms in the valley of the
Potomac. The value of the remainder, however, has been
doubtless enhanced by the passage of this great work of internal
improvement. These bottom lands are very productive, and are
already contributing their quota to the tollage of the canal by
which they are traversed. The hills and hill-sides, being com-
posed of limestone, slate, shales and sandstone, afford soils that
vary from a stiff-clay to a light loamy soil, all naturally of good
quality, and readily improved by lime; a material which, from the

facilities offered by the canal for obtaining coal, will shortly be
procured for a trifle. The slate soils and the light loamy soils are
those that will be found to derive the greatest benefit from lime ;
or rather whose improvement by it will contrast more forcibly
with their actual productiveness ; for all the other soils may also
be expected to improve by a like treatment.

The valley of Hagerstown, which comprises about two-thirds
of the county, is its most flourishing portion. It is based princi-
pally upon limestone ; with the exception of a low ridge of slate
already referred to, on the east side of the Conococheague, and
on the flanks of the mountain, the soil of which is mostly derived
from the disintegration of a white sandstone. With regard to
the limestone rocks, however, as they vary in their composition,
they occasion corresponding variations in the character of the
soils which they yield. These limestone soils may be divided
into three kinds, deserving of more especial notice, as the others
graduate into each other in multifarious ways that would require
a much longer and minute investigation for practical purposes
than could have been given to them, in the time allotted to the
survey of the county during the past year.

1st. The compact blue limestone^ which is the most abundant,
furnishes a soil of a red colour, rather stiff", well adapted to the
growth of wheats but somewhat uncertain in a season of long
continued drought. This limestone is a mixture of carbonate of
lime, clay and oxide of iron, with (for a limestone rock) an excess
of alumine and silex or clay ; whence the soil probably derives
its peculiar stiffness. An additional proportion of lime would,
beyond a doubt, improve a soil of this kind ; and whenever con-
venient, no supply of calcareous matter can be found, it would
seem, better suited, than in the deposites previously alluded
to, that occur on the margin of the limestone springs. Besides,
wheat, oats, rye, corn, and grain generally, as well as the root
crops, might necessarily be expected to be not only more abun-
dant, but in truth, secure from peculiar inclemencies of season,
that render them, even under apparently the most favourable natu-
ral condition of things, still precarious.

2d. The purer Ihnestones that occur principally east of the
Antietam, and furnish the marbles also referred to in the former
section, yield a soil likewise of good, and in some places, supe-
rior quality to the preceding. Their natural admixture of silex
and alumine, of which neither is in excess, renders them porous,

and yet sufficiently tenacious to produce grain crops of every
description. They, however, too, would be improved by the
application of lime, in which, remarkably enough to be sure, they
are found to be deficient, at least in its desired combination ; that
is, as carbonate of lime.

3d. There occurs west of the Antietam, and between the
region of the blue limestone and the slate ridge of the Conoco-
cheague, a ledge of limestone rocks of a peculiar character.
The portion of the county which it supports, is known as the
Salisbury tract^ passing in a north-east and south-west direction
through the county, on an estimated average breadth of a mile
and a half. It has been remarked of the soil produced by the
decomposition of this rock, that it is, to use the provisional term,
spumy. In frosty weather, it cracks and freezes ; the intervals
between the crevices are filled with small icicles ; the tender
roots of the winter grains are thus thrown out and exposed,
and in this manner, as a natural consequence, the wheat crops
especially, are rendered very precarious. The physical charac-
ters of the limestone that furnishes this peculiar soil are well
determined ; so well indeed, that any one with the experience
of only a few rides over one section of the county to the
other, recognizes at once that he has reached the Salisbury
tract, by the colour of the soil, which is much lighter, and the
appearance of the protruding limestone rocks. The latter varies
insensibly between two kinds : one of a dull white, comparatively
soft, and of less weight and compactness than the blue limestone ;
the other of an ash-grey colour, traversed by numerous small
veins of calcareous spar, probably constituting that variety of
limestone, known as the magnesian carbonate of lime. There can
be no doubt that the difference in the character of the soils of this
section of the county, is due to a corresponding difference in
the nature of the rock that furnishes it. As the lands situated
within this tract, are, in consequence of these peculiarities, con-
sidered generally less valuable, the subject deserves to be more
carefully examined into, by instituting a series of chemical ana-
lysis of the rocks themselves, as well as of the soils which they
produce. This matter is in progress of investigation, and the
result will be communicated as early as possible to those imme-
diately interested. Experiments have been commenced in the
vicinity of Hagerstown, with a view of determining whether
these soils will be improved by lime. There is every reason to
believe that they will.

The soils that are formed over the slate rocks are commonly
thin, better adapted to corn, oats and rye, than to wheat. They
assimilate in character to what on this side of the mountains are
termed the chestnut lands, that are proverbially known to be sus-
ceptible of the highest degree of improvement by lime. No
failure can be anticipated in the use of it upon them ; so that
every encouragement was given to carry out the experiments,
which in this quarter also have been undertaken but recently.

A fourth distinctive character of soil presents itself at the foot
of the ridges; where the mountain sandstone has contributed its
silicious particles in pretty considerable proportion. Soils of this
description, are of the kind denominated light. Lime, by impart-
ing body to them, invariably improves them, as is shewn by a
very successful operation, performed in the vicinity of Boonsbo-
rough, upon a field that could not be made to yield a crop of
wheat in its original condition, but from which, twenty-two
bushels per acre were taken this year, after an application of
about fifty bushels of lime. This result, which fully establishes
the eflScacy of lime upon these soils, was obtained by Mr.
Samuel Bentz, of Boonsborough.

It is always dangerous to throw doubts over a system of agri-
cultural improvement, that has succeeded in obtaining general
credit, and has been apparently w^orking well. The danger is
the greater, in consequence of the difficulty of substituting for it
a new one, howsoever superior it may be. Yet when new lights
make their appearance, a prolonged experience developes the im-
perfection of the former system, and better means suggest them-
selves— it would be folly to shut one's eyes and refuse to accept
the proffered boon. This is the case with the comparative value of
the use of plaster and that of lime. Plaster has rendered, and con-
tinues to render great benefits to the agiicultural interests of Mary-
land. In its day, it revived hopes that seemed well nigh expiring,
especially in the tobacco-growing portion of the territory, of the
possibility of reclaiming large tracts of apparently exhausted lands.
It required time, however, to introduce it ; but when once tried,
it was impossible to resist its magic influence. By bringing soils
otherwise incapable, into the condition of bearing a luxuriant
growth of clover, an abundant source of vegetable manure was at
once created ; for in this seems to lie its principal efficacy — pro-
bably from its extraordinary power of absorbing moisture in the
first instance. But has it done more? It is doubtful: nay,

whilst gilding our present hopes with a fallacious promise of per-
manent benefit, may it not have insidiously laid the foundation of
a more inveterate disorder in our soils, than that from which it
was expected to relieve them. The experience of many intelli-
gent farmers in some districts of the State, leads to the appre-
hension of this danger. Wherever new facilities for the trans-
portation of limestone or lime, have been offered, it is well known
that the latter is now exclusively used ; the objections to plaster
being that, after long usage, it hardens the soil ; and in fact,
brings it into a condition in which the plaster loses its own effi-
cacy. Moreover, as the application of plaster has constantly
to be renewed, it becomes an expensive means of improvement.
In liming soils to the extent required by their peculiar character
and condition, it is understood that the operation is attended with
permanent benefits ; that is, need not be repeated for a great
length of time. The farmers of Washington county, who have
the limestone rock in abundance about them, and who it is
hoped will, before long, obtain coal as fuel to enable them to
make lime cheap, aie earnestly urged to try without further delay
the efficacy of lime in their soils. This they may do to any ex-
tent they please — upon half an acre or an acre — as their facilities
for procuring it, or their other means, will admit.

Beautiful and fertile as the valley of Hagerstown is at present,
there is ground to believe that the average of all the crops can
be increased at least one-third, by the means that have just been
suggested. They are submitted to the intelligent and enterprizing
farmers of Washington county, as the best judges of the degree
of importance to which they are entitled.

The other agricultural resources of the county, of a miscella-
neous character, are such as might be expected in a productive
grain country, supplied as previously stated, with a great abun-
dance of water-power.

Sec V. Farther JYotice of the Condition of the Mining Operations
in the Copper Region of Frederick County.
An account of some openings made in Frederick county, for
the extraction of copper-ore, was given in the Report of 1839.
The character and extent of the works, near New London, be-
longing to Mr. Isaac Tyson, Jr. of Baltimore, were referred to;
since then, the mine has been worked by a few hands. The ore
is found to continue as good and abundant as at any former
8

period. The rock in which it is embedded continues soft, easily
removed, and the operations have been but little impeded by
water, which passes off freely by the adit opened for that pur-
pose. It is understood that about eighty thousand pounds or
PIG COPPER, have been extracted from this mine, which were sold
in Baltimore, to Messrs. W. & H. McKim, for refining, and who
have pronounced it equal to any they have ever used.

When all the circumstances connected with this mine are taken
into view, namely, the regularity of the lode and softness of the
rock; its perpendicular position; the thickness of the vein of
ore ; the facility of working the mine ; the great yield of copper
after digging to only the very limited extent of a few hundred feet ;
it certainly presents inducements for mining adventure much be-
yond most, if not all localities, hitherto attempted in the United
States. In Cornwall, the copper region of England, the depth at
which the ore is sought for is never less than fifty fathoms, and
after crushing, cleansing and dressing, yields only eight per cent,
of metal. At the New London mine above referred to, the ore
averages about twenty per cent, of copper.

There are besides, other localities in the county that deserve
special attention. The Liberty copper mines, as they were for-
merly styled, situated two miles north of Liberty, at which consi-
derable sums have been expended in explorations principally near
the surface, have furnished probably not less than two hundred tons
of pig copper, at various times. These mines are drained by an
adit of great length, and only want adequate capital and enter-
prize to make them very valuable to the State.

The operations on the property of Captain Richard Coale, in
the immediate vicinity of Liberty, continue to be carried on,
but only on a small scale, and furnish a copper-ore of good
quality. The diggings, so far, are wholly in the loose soil near
the surface, from which, it is understood, from sixty to eighty
tons of ore have been raised during the past year, and have
been sold at $60 a ton. The ore is a mixture of oxide of iron,
manganese, copper black and principally the green carbonate of
copper ; the last mentioned compound forming nearly two-thirds
of the whole amount in weight. It will be found most probably
to yield, when worked and duly treated, twenty-five to thirty per
cent, of metallic copper.

These remarks are made, in addition to what was reported last
year, in consequence of a disposition manifested on the part of

capitalists abroad, whose attention was called to it by the state-
ments then made, to unite their enterprize with that of our own
citizens, in developing more fully this new item of our mineral
resources. It will be perceived that the results already obtained,
justify the expressed anticipations of the Geologist, as to the
value of the copper region of Frederick county.

I' LATE a.

[ SECTIONAL PROFilUE
of - tlxe O M K -iSE II L^ voTke A at
^ "^ LOXArOXLVfr.

<|||||||||Mi,,ie„ii|||iiii|

;«- .r/i,in '-- "

Vi coal';
■r/,„

i: II

/ai

.V^/rfij/, > .V Irnii (Il-

ls " C O A L ^

/a t~ 6 ; Shale j^-S^sg:^^^-

'Scr i Co.Biaiiu

Tr on Or e X I'l

.y/iri/e . iviil.iuiiiii/ ■ \i>diih.^ //
I f o IL - O I- e i N! lO , :

18 ■.' I r o 11 ■ O r e i Jf - 9

sre: shuic

' 5! 10'.' Ir o 11 - O r i' , N'! 8 . altcrnntini/ with tJmi l.:
Sr/iiiix nf.S'fl/iff . -s

5! Shale , centdiriinfj AhdnU-.t of Vv^iw 'Mo N

r'la^^ COAL

M". Fire Clajr^

COAL

i\'i". fire Clays contai
l\3.". Iron - Ore X

/„ .1.////, ■■ , ■ li

l\a' I'Cri CI ay.

Iy&". Shale .

lOr Vv o T. :."5 r p . jf" I JlJIlllMlMjMMiMiBlllWMiiKiiaiMMiiililll

"5 lo 5 so 5 5o S ?o 5 so 6 60 S 71

Base ol" Piolil(> 9()3 I'Vcl above (' u 111 b<- v l,i 11 d

SKCriOX near ihc Cciilrc uT ilic {.rorocs Creek COM, liASIX

*%r

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Books

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Annual report of the Geologist of Maryland."

See other formats